Development & Policy | June 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Punjab has launched the SEHR Program to train 5,365 women across the province.
- The initiative carries an allocation of more than Rs. 970 million for women-focused skills training.
- Training areas include beautification services, hospitality, digital skills and online earning support.
- Participants in eligible components will receive laptops, internet devices, data packages and monthly stipends.
- The program gives preference to widows, differently-abled women and women from minority communities.
Punjab’s new SEHR Program is designed to bring practical skills training closer to women, especially those who need flexible learning options and income support from home.
| 5,365 Women to be trained |
Rs. 970m+ Program allocation |
2,065 Beauty trainees in 4 districts |
What the SEHR Program Offers Women
The Punjab government has launched the Skill Enhancement Through Home Reach Program, known as SEHR, to give women practical training that can be used for jobs, small businesses and home-based earning. The initiative has been announced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif as part of the province’s wider women empowerment agenda.
Officials say the program will train 5,365 women across Punjab through vocational and technical courses. The plan is designed for women who may not be able to leave home easily because of distance, family responsibilities or limited local training options. By using home-based and supported learning models, the government wants to connect more women with skills that match current market demand.
The program has an allocation of more than Rs. 970 million. It aims to reduce barriers that often stop women from joining training programs by offering devices, internet support and stipends where applicable.
| Why it matters: The home-reach model can help women join training without leaving family responsibilities or facing high travel costs. |
Training Tracks Cover Beauty, Hospitality and Digital Work
The SEHR Program includes three broad areas: beautification services, hospitality and digital technology. These fields were selected because they can create direct income opportunities for women through employment, freelancing, online sales, salon services, food services and customer-facing jobs.
In the beautification stream, 2,065 women in four districts will receive training in partnership with the private sector. The courses are expected to cover services such as hair styling, skincare, makeup and nail art. This track can help women enter the beauty industry or start small home-based services in their own communities.
The hospitality component includes training for fields such as culinary arts, baking, guest relations, front desk services and airline management. The digital skills component focuses on online earning and modern work tools, including e-commerce platforms, English language support, product research, financial literacy, content creation and soft skills. These areas can be used from home with a computer and internet connection.
SEHR Program at a Glance
| Item | Detail | What It Means |
| Total trainees planned | 5,365 women | Confirmed target for the current program round |
| Program allocation | More than Rs. 970 million | Funding for training and support measures |
| Beautification trainees | 2,065 women | Training planned in four districts with private-sector support |
| Main training areas | Beauty, hospitality, digital skills | Job-focused and home-earning oriented fields |
| Support package | Devices, data, stipend | Laptops, internet support and monthly stipend where applicable |
Support Package Aims to Remove Training Barriers
One of the important parts of SEHR is the support package attached to the training. Many public skills programs fail to reach women because the cost of devices, transport, internet and time away from home becomes too high. The latest initiative tries to address this by giving selected participants the tools they need to complete training.
Officials have said trainees will be provided laptops, internet devices, internet packages and monthly stipends where applicable. This is meant to make the program easier for women from low-income and remote areas. The government has also indicated that preference will be given to widows, differently-abled women and women from minority communities, which makes the scheme more targeted toward groups that often face higher economic pressure.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said women are a valuable asset for Punjab and that the government is taking practical steps to create opportunities for their development, financial independence and dignified employment. She said equipping women with modern technical and vocational skills will help them meet market needs and contribute to economic growth.
| Reader note: Applicants should rely on official Punjab government or Women Development Department channels before sharing personal data. |
Why the Program Matters for Punjab’s Workforce
Punjab has a large female population, but many women remain outside formal work because of mobility limits, lack of training, family responsibilities and weak access to digital tools. A home-reach training model can help narrow this gap if it is implemented properly and monitored transparently.
The biggest test will be whether trainees can convert these courses into real income after completing them. For that, the program will need strong links with employers, private-sector partners, online marketplaces and local business networks. Certification, mentoring and follow-up support will also matter because short courses alone do not always lead to stable income.
For women who complete the program, SEHR can become a first step toward earning from home, joining the service sector or starting a small business.
| Caution: Final seats, eligibility checks and training schedules should be confirmed through official program channels. |
Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements and published program details available at the time of writing. Applicants should verify eligibility, deadlines and registration steps from official Punjab government sources before applying.
