Karachi, A significant stride in empowering women in disaster-stricken regions of Pakistan was celebrated at a showcase event in Karachi, where UN Women and the Government of Japan underscored the success of the Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project. The project, which provided critical relief and protection services to women and girls in flood-affected areas, aimed to enhance their resilience and ability to adapt to emergencies.

According to Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, the USD 1.85 million initiative funded by the Government of Japan was instrumental in offering humanitarian assistance to the flood-ravaged districts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2022. The project has focused on women-centric humanitarian services, supporting their empowerment in the midst of natural calamities.

Muhammad Asghar Memon, Secretary of the Planning and Development Department of the Government of Sindh, acknowledged the timely and crucial support from the Government of Japan. He highlighted that the Japanese contribution has played a key role in enabling women and girls to take on leadership roles in their communities, reinforcing the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Japan.

Mr. Hattori Masaru, the Consul General of Japan in Karachi, reiterated Japan’s dedication to safeguarding women’s human rights and combating gender-based violence. The collaborative efforts with UN Women have been geared towards fostering safety, protection, and the cultivation of leadership among those affected by the floods. Masaru also expressed gratitude for UN Women’s efforts in promoting inclusive development in Pakistan.

Adding to the accolades, Sharmeela Rassool, the UN Women Representative in Pakistan, expressed profound thanks to the Japanese Government for their financial contribution, which has been critical for the well-being and empowerment of women and girls in vulnerable areas. She emphasized that this support has been pivotal for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives, particularly within the humanitarian-peace-development framework.

The Japanese Government’s funds have facilitated a range of essential humanitarian services, including psychosocial support, gender-based violence awareness, support for violence survivors, assistance with civic documentation applications, and entrepreneurship development. The provision of relief goods, such as mother kits, baby kits, and inclusion kits, has further supported the welfare of women in the affected districts.