BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the unthinkable: women entrepreneurs. More than 50 of them have broken cultural barriers by setting up home-based businesses. Like elsewhere in Pakistan, these women felt the crunch of inflation and decided not to take it sitting down. Whether it is managing household expenses, footing medical bills or putting their children through school, these women have taken it upon themselves to take charge and turn things around. Their journey began during their decade-long displacement from home during military operations. They would interact with women working part-time in the area they were temporarily settled in, and were driven to also have livelihoods of their own. When they were repatriated following an end to the operations, they did just that.

These women have done much more than improving their economic conditions: they have created safe spaces for female customers. In conservative areas, where women often face harassment in marketplaces, their home-based shops are a godsend. Crucially, they have become role models, showing that financial independence and cultural respect can coexist. It is now up to the government to step in and ensure such success is replicated across the country. Whereas these women were supported by organisations like the Sarhad Rural Support Programme and Islamic Relief Pakistan, others must benefit from institutional support. This should be in the form of programmes that combine financial help with skill development and business training. In addition, if they are provided secure, accessible marketplaces, it could enhance their customer base and revenue while maintaining cultural sensitivities. Special attention needs to be given to those areas that have just come out of conflict, for economic reasons and social transformation. Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome, benefiting both family and community.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024