Plenary 3.1: Towards Economic Empowerment: Women’s Financial Inclusion in Pakistan
- Government agencies, financial institutions, and non-profits should develop comprehensive Financial Literacy Programmes, especially for women in rural and underserved areas, focusing on foundational financial skills.
- Digital payment providers and social protection programmes like the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) should provide Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) training to increase comfort with digital transactions among women, beneficiaries, and social protection workers.
- Government of Pakistan can leverage partnerships, such as Germany’s support for social protection programmes, to expand training for women’s financial inclusion and
- Policymakers should develop policies aimed at closing the gender gap in financial services, ensuring women have equal opportunities to participate in the economy and access financial resources.
- United Nations agencies and local initiatives should continue collaborations to enhance digital and financial access for women, particularly within existing social protection frameworks.
- Digital payment platforms (e.g., Easypaisa, JazzCash) should work with financial literacy programmes to encourage women’s adoption of digital transactions, promoting greater financial independence.
- Social protection agencies should train workers on the importance of financial literacy, equipping them to educate women beneficiaries and fostering a support network for financial empowerment.
- Education sector and community programmes should focus on improving basic literacy among women as a prerequisite for effective financial and digital inclusion.
- Government bodies should launch programmes aimed specifically at empowering women with financial skills, starting with foundational financial education before technical skills training.
- Community leaders and advocacy groups should encourage male involvement and support for women’s financial empowerment to foster a more inclusive environment, addressing cultural norms that affect women’s financial access.
- Banks and financial institutions should design products tailored to women’s needs, such as low-cost digital wallets and microloans that allow financial independence and cater to low-income households.
- Financial service providers and regulatory bodies should work to reduce transaction fees for digital wallets and other digital services, making them more accessible and affordable for women.
- Financial literacy programmes and entrepreneurial organisations should offer training in financial education, business development, gender justice, and health-related issues, empowering women entrepreneurs holistically.
