ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has committed one million euros to fund a three-year project ‘Beyond Barriers’ to advance women’s rights and economic empowerment for women with disabilities.

The project launching ceremony took place on Wednesday in Islamabad. The EU’s commitment is complemented by 5pc Sightsavers co-funding, and the initiative is implemented in collaboration with Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (Poda) and the Awaz Foundation Pakistan (AwazCDS).

The project seeks to strengthen the organisational capacity of women’s groups and build strong coalitions capable of driving long-term, structural change in the arena of disability inclusion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Head of Co-operation, European Union, Jeroen Willems, congratulated Sightsavers, Poda, and AwazCDS for spearheading Beyond Barriers, a groundbreaking initiative on women’s disability inclusion in Pakistan.

“The EU takes immense pride in championing inclusion as the cornerstone of our development cooperation. Next year, Pakistan will integrate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into its GSP+ framework that aligns perfectly with our shared vision of leaving no one behind. By the end of the third year, we aspire to see tangible progress: the elimination of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) and the economic empowerment of women with disabilities,” he added.

Over the next three years, the Beyond Barriers project will enhance the capacity of women-led organisations to support women, particularly those with disabilities, in combatting GBVH and in accessing decent and inclusive work opportunities.

The project will partner with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to promote disability-inclusive training and education.

Director Pakistan and Middle East, Sightsavers, Ms Munazza Gillani, emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “Today’s commitment marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to break down barriers that hold back women, especially women with disabilities, from leading economically empowered and dignified lives.”

The Beyond Barriers project will also advocate for improved implementation of national policies such as the SME Policy (2021), the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2022), and the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

Through participatory research and the Disability-inclusive Approach to Social Accountability (Dasa), civil society organisations will generate evidence to influence policymaking, strengthen advocacy campaigns, and improve service delivery.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026