From Skardu's pioneering professional beautician to chamber founder, Maryum Batool Ainee is expanding vocational education and economic opportunities for women across Gilgit-Baltistan.
SKARDU — Over the past two decades, Maryum Batool Ainee has emerged as a prominent figure in women's entrepreneurship and vocational training across Gilgit-Baltistan. Recognized as the region's first professional beautician, she has focused her career on transforming beauty and grooming into viable professional career paths for women.
As the CEO of Gull Khatoon by Ainee’s, based in Skardu, Maryum has provided practical skills training and beauty education aimed at helping women achieve financial independence. Local profiles and regional accounts indicate that her training initiatives have contributed significantly to female vocational education and skills development throughout Skardu.
Beyond her work in beauty education, Maryum serves as the Founder of the Gilgit-Baltistan Women Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she works to encourage women’s participation in economic activities, support business development, and help women turn traditional skills and creative ambitions into sustainable enterprises.
Her entrepreneurial journey has also benefited from institutional backing. Support from the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has helped strengthen her organizational capacity, enabling her to expand training programs and reach a broader community of women across Gilgit-Baltistan. Collaborations with various NGOs and institutions have further extended these educational opportunities.
As an active member of the broader Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce, Maryum continues to advocate for women in business, emphasizing community-focused leadership and the importance of professional skills in regional economic development.
