ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) convened a high-level consultative session titled “Accelerating Women’s Rights and Empowerment” to explore strategies for advancing gender equality and women’s economic inclusion.

The session brought together women parliamentarians, government representatives, and key stakeholders to discuss actionable solutions for enhancing women’s participation in economic development.

Opening the session, PPAF CEO Nadir Gul Barech highlighted the organisation’s commitment to empowering women as a cornerstone of poverty alleviation.

“Sustainable progress is possible onlywhen women have equal access to education, financial resources, and entrepreneurial opportunities. PPAF’s Poverty Graduation approach is designed to break the cycle of poverty by equipping women with the necessary tools to achieve financial independence and drive community transformation,” he stated.

Prominent attendees included Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ms Wajiha Qamar, Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Program Syeda Amnah Batool and MNAs Dr Shazia Sobia Soomro and Ms Sehar Kamran, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Ms. Farah Naz Akbar and representatives from Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), the Ministry of Human Rights, and NACTA.

Ms Wajiha Qamar emphasised the importance of empowering women for national development.

“When women thrive, economies grow, and communities prosper. Investing in their potential creates opportunities that uplift society as a whole,” she stated, commending PPAF’s role in fostering inclusive progress.

MNA Ms Sehar Kamran highlighted the role of rural women in economic growth, calling them the “backbone of our communities”.

She stressed the need for greater access to resources and opportunities to ensure their full participation.

MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Soomro underscored the importance of financial inclusion, stating, “Access to finance empowers women at the grassroots level, enabling them to invest in businesses, uplift their communities, and drive lasting change.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Ms Farah Naz Akbar praised PPAF’s commitment to promoting education and skill-building for women in underserved areas.

“By removing barriers to education and fostering skill development, PPAF is creating a generation of empowered women who can shape a more equitable society,” she noted.

Government representatives from the Ministries of Human Rights, Health, and Education acknowledged PPAF’s impactful work and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at scaling up these initiatives.

The session fostered insightful discussions on scaling up successful interventions, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, and leveraging partnerships to enhance women’s economic participation. The participants eere told that the PPAF remains dedicated to empowering women as a driving force for poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025