From Dream to Reality: Kiran’s Inspiring Entrepreneurial Journey
Growing up, Kiran Fatima, a young woman with speech and hearing impairment from Lahore, aspired to become a beautician and start her own business. However, she faced several challenges in accessing quality education in school. Undeterred, she joined a government-operated technical and vocational training centre to pursue her dream of becoming a beautician, but the course lacked customisation to accommodate individuals with hearing impairments.
"I have always loved doing makeup since I was young. I used to go to weddings and always get inspired by makeup. My dream was to become a beautician and open my own parlour. However, when I tried to get training, I faced a lot of obstacles. The government training course proved difficult for me as it did not have sign language accessibility," Kiran shared.
Just when she felt she might have to let go of her childhood dream, Kiran discovered the Hamza Foundation, a training organisation dedicated to the empowerment of persons with hearing disabilities. Here, she received specialised beautician training, benefiting from innovative teaching methodologies and a holistic training approach.
Empowered by entrepreneurial support
After completing the training, Kiran participated in a Career & Entrepreneurship Advisory workshop facilitated by GIZ Pakistan under the TVET Sector Support Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). She also received crucial financial support and entrepreneurial skills needed to start her own business. Today, she runs her own successful beauty parlour from her home and has become financially independent.
“The Programme enabled me to start my own business, which was accessible to me as it utilised sign language. I gained insights into entrepreneurship and decided to open my parlour at home. It also provided me with the financial support that I needed to buy the equipment for my parlour,” highlighted Kiran.
Kiran feels empowered as she can now provide for her family and contribute financially. When discussing communication challenges in her work, she mentioned that having her two daughters, who can speak and listen, greatly helps. Moreover, she relies on technology to facilitate communication with her clients.
“My family, especially my two daughters, are great support. They assist me in communicating with the clients. I also use a mobile phone to interact with them, and they show the makeup styles they desire through YouTube videos,” she explained.
Breaking barriers and fostering dreams
Pakistan's fashion industry still grapples with discrimination against women and persons with disabilities, posing barriers to their inclusion and accessibility. Kiran is one of the beneficiaries who overcame barriers to step foot and excel in the fashion industry. She believes that with strong determination and resilience, it is possible to realise your dreams. She expressed,
“I do not consider my hearing disability as an impediment to my success. Where there is a will, there is always a way. Therefore, it is important not to remain idle at home. Instead, we need to invest effort in acquiring new skills. Failure is a crucial step on the path to success, so it is vital to persevere and keep trying.”
Cooperation for driving systemic change
Driven by the vision of driving systemic change, GIZ Pakistan collaborates closely with various stakeholders to foster a gender-equitable and inclusive fashion industry in Pakistan. Through targeted training courses, numerous women and individuals with disabilities have benefited, thereby reducing inequalities within the textile and fashion sector. Kiran's story stands as a testament to the positive impact of vocational training for individuals with hearing disabilities. Thanks to the German support, Kiran’s life took a remarkable turn, enabling her to embrace a future filled with possibilities.
