Islamabad, In an effort to enhance financial inclusion for women, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are set to host a workshop titled “Women in Finance Thought Leaders.” The event aims to unite industry experts to deliberate on the empowerment of women through microfinance.

According to Press Information Department, the workshop will gather seasoned professionals from various sectors, including microfinance, ADB, Women’s World Banking, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Google. The agenda is to cultivate a space for thought leaders to exchange strategies for advancing women’s financial empowerment and to scrutinize the challenges and opportunities within financial inclusion.

Interactive sessions and panel discussions at the event will explore the role of non-bank microfinance institutions (NBMFIs) in supporting women’s financial autonomy. A special focus will be on the role of fintech in enhancing women’s access to financial services, addressing sector-specific issues, and narrowing the gender gap in finance.

The workshop is expected to draw a broad spectrum of participants, including policymakers, representatives from financial entities, microfinance experts, academic researchers, and development agencies. Insights garnered from the workshop are anticipated to inform policy development that fosters gender equality and strengthens women’s roles in economic growth.

SECP’s commitment as the regulatory body for NBMFIs is to advocate for gender-inclusive policies and sustainable economic development, emphasizing the significance of this workshop in shaping a more equitable financial landscape.