Peshawar, In a groundbreaking effort to empower women entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the merged areas, a collaborative initiative between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) was announced. The program aims to provide interest-free microfinance loans and business management training to 2,000 women, fostering economic growth and resilience in the flood-affected districts of Nowshera and Swat.
According to United Nations Development Programme, this initiative is designed to bolster women’s financial literacy, enhance their business skills, and expand their networks, vital for revitalizing the local economies devastated by floods. Consul General Shante Moore, representing the United States in Peshawar, emphasized the program’s significance as a stride towards women’s empowerment and equality in a virtual address. He highlighted the program’s role in echoing the partnership’s commitment to advancing Pakistan’s economic landscape and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
The initiative builds upon the foundations laid by the USAID-funded FATA Economic Revitalization Programme (FERP), which has been crucial in supporting women-led businesses through training and grants, increasing access to finance for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, and enhancing employment opportunities with various support packages. Furthermore, FERP has aided the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in developing gender-responsive investment strategies, improving SMEs’ credit access, and strengthening government service delivery through enhanced monitoring and evaluation capacities.
Mustafa Mahmood, the Assistant Resident Representative and Unit Head for Crisis Prevention and Inclusion at UNDP Pakistan, underlined the organization’s dedication to eliminating barriers to women’s empowerment. He stressed the importance of gender-responsive policies, promoting women’s leadership, and ensuring their participation in decision-making as essential elements for national progress.
Highlighting the initiative’s approach to overcoming cultural and logistical hurdles to financial inclusion for women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Masood Ul Mulk, CEO of SRSP, introduced a village banking model developed locally. This model aims to empower women throughout the province, demonstrating the impactful potential of customized solutions to address complex challenges.
This collaborative effort by USAID, UNDP, and SRSP underscores the vital role of women’s entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development and societal transformation, marking a significant step towards economic recovery and empowerment in the region.