KARACHI: The forthcoming Banking on Equality Policy will introduce a gender lens within the financial sector through identified pillars and set of specific measures to bring a shift towards women-friendly business practices, the State Bank said on Tuesday.

The World Bank (WB) hosted the webinar titled ‘Consultative Dialogue on SBP’s Banking on Equality Policy’ to learn from global leaders regarding gender responsive policies and their experience on gender financial inclusion in the context of a developing country such as Pakistan.

The webinar, livestreamed on the Facebook pages of SBP and WB Pakistan, saw several focus group discussions with stakeholders on equality policy in the financial sector of Pakistan.

In Dec 2020, the SBP launched a consultation process with different national and international stakeholders soliciting feedback on its equality policy.

During the webinar, Governor SBP Dr Reza Baqir, moderated a panel discussion with international participants including, WB Global Director Gender Caren Grown, Women’s World Banking President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian and President Director Bank OCBC NISP Indonesia Parwati Surjaudaja. The renowned experts shared their experiences of gender mainstreaming and aided the consultative phase of the SBP policy.

The SBP governor said that the strategies for achieving financial inclusion have an implicit assumption of utilising each citizen, both men and women, as a driving agent to achieve national development goals. However, women are disproportionately excluded from accessing resources and opportunities and targeted measures are needed, he noted.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2021