For many women in rural areas, finding opportunities for education, skills development, and employment can be challenging. Limited mobility, household responsibilities, and lack of access to training centers often prevent women from pursuing economic opportunities.
To address these challenges, the Women Development Department, Government of Punjab, has launched the Skill Enhancement Through Home Reach (SEHR) Program. The initiative aims to bring market-oriented skills training directly to women, especially those living in remote and underserved areas, helping them become economically independent and improve their livelihoods.
What is the SEHR Program?
The SEHR Program is designed to provide employable skills to women across Punjab through innovative and accessible training models. The program focuses on helping women develop practical skills that can lead to self-employment, freelancing opportunities, or jobs in growing sectors of the economy.
According to the Women Development Department, the program aims to train more than 5,000 women in various high-demand trades and strengthen women’s participation in the workforce.
Training Opportunities Available
The program currently offers training in three areas:
1. Digital Skills Training
This is the most attractive option for educated women living in rural areas because the training is conducted entirely online.
Selected participants receive:
- Free six-month online training
- Laptop
- Internet device and internet package
- Monthly stipend of PKR 5,000
- Professional certification upon successful completion
Training modules include:
- English Language
- Digital Skills
- Content Creation
- E-Commerce
- Soft Skills
The objective is to enable women to work from home, explore freelancing opportunities, engage in online business, and participate in the digital economy.
2. Beautician Training
This training is designed for women interested in beauty and personal care services.
Participants learn:
- Hair care
- Skin care
- Makeup
- Nail art
The course can help women establish home-based beauty services or find employment in salons and beauty centers.
3. Hospitality Training
This course prepares women for employment opportunities in:
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Catering services
- Event management
The hospitality sector continues to grow and offers a range of career opportunities for trained women.
Who Can Apply?
Digital Skills Training
Applicants should:
- Be women from Punjab
- Have a valid CNIC or Punjab domicile
- Possess at least 16 years of education (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
Priority is given to rural women.
Beautician Training
Applicants should:
- Be female
- Be between 18 and 45 years of age
- Be literate
- Have a valid CNIC or Punjab domicile
Hospitality Training
Applicants should:
- Be female
- Be between 18 and 45 years of age
- Have at least Matric education
- Have a valid CNIC or Punjab domicile
Widows, divorced women, and women from low-income households are encouraged to apply.
How Can Rural Women Benefit?
The SEHR Program is particularly important for rural women because it attempts to remove barriers that often prevent women from accessing training opportunities.
Benefits include:
- Access to free skills training
- Reduced travel requirements
- Opportunities for home-based income generation
- Exposure to digital technologies
- Improved employability
- Financial support through stipends in selected programs
- Professional certification
For educated rural women, the Digital Skills component can open pathways to freelancing, online work, content creation, and e-commerce activities without leaving their communities.
How to Apply
Women can apply directly through the official SEHR portal when registrations are open.
Official SEHR Portal
https://wdd.punjab.gov.pk/SEHR
Direct Digital Skills Registration
https://wdd.punjab.gov.pk/DigitalTraining
Applicants should keep the following ready:
- CNIC
- Punjab domicile (if applicable)
- Educational certificates
- Contact information
Applications are reviewed according to eligibility criteria, and shortlisted candidates may be invited for tests, interviews, or document verification.
Need Help?
The Women Development Department states that enrollment is also supported through:
- Community mobilization
- Local leaders
- District administration
- Women Development Department field staff
Women who do not have access to the internet can seek assistance from local NGOs, community organizations, women’s groups, or district-level government offices.
A Step Towards Women’s Economic Empowerment
The SEHR Program represents an important effort to bring skills development opportunities closer to women, especially those living in rural and remote areas. By providing practical training, digital tools, and support services, the initiative has the potential to help thousands of women improve their incomes and contribute more actively to their households and communities.
Women interested in improving their skills and exploring new economic opportunities should regularly monitor the official SEHR portal for new registration announcements and training batches.
Useful Links
The SEHR program provides free digital training, laptops, internet support, and stipends for eligible participants, while also offering beautician and hospitality training streams for women across Punjab. (Women Development Department)
