Trends in Funding for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) in Pakistan

Omar Asghar Khan Foundation analysed federal & provincial budgets (2015-20) to track funding for women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan. The study identified 1,674 projects, with a combined expenditure of Rs.131,998.8 million. It also assessed funding for women’s financial inclusion and women’s empowerment collectives. https://www.oakdf.org.pk/…/National-Funding-for-WEE-in…

About 30 key stakeholders including government officials, business persons, CSOs and the media attended the launch of the study’s report in Islamabad on 29 November 2022.

Chairing the launch event, Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, former Chair-NCSW, said that the study contributes to taking the discourse on WEE forward. Dr. Pervez Tahir said that the study provides important data on micro-economics and suggested assessing contributions of financial institutions and donor-funded projects. Ms. Naima Ansari, former President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that the information will further assist the Chamber is promoting WEE. Ms. Shumaila Rafaqat, Head of Innovations at Karandaaz, appreciated the framework used for the study. Ms. Nilofer Hafeez, Chief Programmes at NCSW, said that the study will strengthen the Commission’s work on gender-responsive data gathering.

The study was completed by the Omar Asghar Khan Foundation in collaboration with Publish What You Fund as part of its 6-country project. It is hoped that the evidence generated by this work will help policymakers, funders, and gender advocates to support better funding approaches to advance WEE.