Empowering Minority Women Through the Hungary Helps Program in Lahore - Faith & Freedom News

In Lahore today, a transformative initiative under the Hungary Helps program was launched to empower minority women through entrepreneurship. The Hungary Helps program—long committed to supporting Pakistani Christian communities—has now taken a significant step forward. On Tuesday, Tristan Azbej, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and head of the Hungary Helps Program, announced via his social media channels that a Christian women’s entrepreneurship course has begun in Lahore. This new course is part of the ‘Minority Women Business Incubation Programme’ developed jointly by the Youth Development Foundation (YDF), Hungary Helps, and the Punjab government.

A Vision for Long-Term Development

The state secretary emphasized that this initiative is more than just immediate assistance; it represents a vision for long-term development based on education, community building, and sustainable business practices. “Education, female entrepreneurs, community building – we are building on these, and we are pleased to see that young, severely discriminated Pakistani Christian women are increasingly actively shaping their own future,” he stated.

The programme aims to empower over 300 minority women, support the creation of 300 small enterprises, and has already contributed over Rs500 million to Punjab’s economy over the past five years. By providing vital resources, mentorship, and training, the initiative is designed to foster economic independence and help reduce the pressure of migration by creating opportunities locally.

Highlights from the Launch Ceremony

The launch event was graced by several distinguished personalities:

Tristan Azbej, who reiterated Hungary’s commitment to human rights and minority inclusion, asserting, “Empowering women is essential for building peaceful and prosperous societies.”
Minority Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, underscored the government’s dedication to improving access to skills and economic opportunities for minority communities.
Shahid Rehmat, Executive Director of YDF, presented an overview of the programme’s vision to build inclusive economic pathways and promote social cohesion.
Rt Rev Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Bishop of Lahore (Church of Pakistan), praised the initiative for its focus on economic independence and interfaith harmony.
Miss Sonia Ashir, Minority MPA & Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minority Affairs and Ms. Hina Pervaiz, Chairperson, Punjab Women Protection Authority, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in breaking socio-economic barriers and ensuring safe, economically independent futures for minority women.
Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt further commended the efforts of the Hungary Helps team, expressing heartfelt support for the mission.

In addition, notable comments on social media praised the collaborative spirit and tangible impact of the initiative. One admirer noted, “It was a pleasure to meet the State Secretary from Hungary Helps, and his team is doing remarkable work. Hungary’s dedication is a shining example of global solidarity and compassion.”

Building a Future Through Community and Education

The Hungary Helps Program remains dedicated to its core values of solidarity, worship, and support. By extending educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to marginalized communities, the programme not only uplifts individual lives but also fosters resilient, inclusive communities. The initiative in Lahore exemplifies how a collaborative effort can drive social change and build hope for a better future.

As the programme moves forward, updates on further missions and initiatives will continue to be shared. The Hungary Helps program stands as a testament to Hungary’s unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and empowering minority women to build a future in their own homeland.