Economic empowerment can help women to achieve self-reliance
ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP): The government has initiated an ambitious programme for the socio-economic empowerment of women for alleviation of poverty and access to credit enabling them to achieve self-reliance in the informal sector and attain sustainable development.
According to Ministry of Women Development a National Fund for Advancement of Rural Women (Jafakash Aurat) with a seed money of Rs.100 million created by President General Pervez Musharraf has a special focus on rural women and informal sector.
The fund has been set up through a number of commercial banks including Khushali and First Women Bank and Aga Khan Rural Support Program to provide simultaneously skill, employment and income to nearly 23,000 rural women and benefiting over 74,000 households.
The Ministry sources said that in addition, the “Provision of Safety Nets”, “Food Support Scheme”, 75% of which are benefiting women covering 1.2 million rural households, “Guzara Allowance” and “Zakat” 70% of which is benefiting 0.4 million women, the Dastkari Schools (700 Nos), established by Pakistan Bait-ul- Maal, are providing skill based training and ready income, specially to over 3,000 widows and indigents.
The “Crop Maximization Project”, “Integration of Agriculture Research and Extension Activities” and “Introduction of Herbs as Crops” and the “3-Year Training Program” in livestock and dairy animals are substantially helping women income generation.
The Micro-Credit Scheme, introduced recently under the aegis of the Ministry of Women Development through commercial banks (Khushhali and First Women Bank) is expected to create a new entrepreneurial class among poor women on local basis.
Ismailimail 