$1.85m women’s socio-economic resilience project celebrated

Islamabad : The UN Women, in collaboration with the government of Japan, hosted an event to highlight the success of the $1.85 million Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project meant to provide essential relief and protection services to women and girls in flood-affected areas, fostering their resilience and adaptability to emergencies and disasters.

The project was made possible through the generous support of the Japanese government that provided humanitarian assistance to regions affected by floods in 2022. The aid was directed towards women-focused humanitarian services in the nine districts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing the event, Secretary of the Planning and Development Department Muhammad Asghar Memon said, "The support from the Government of Japan came at a critical time for the women and girls in the flood-affected areas. This contribution significantly helped provide essential relief and protection services, enabling them to assume leadership roles within their communities. Japan's generosity serves as a testament to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations."

Mr. Hattori Masaru, consul general of Japan in Karachi, said Japan was committed to ensuring women’s human rights and fighting against all forms of gender-based violence.

"In partnership with UNWOMEN, we have promoted safety and protection, and nurtured the leadership and resilience of the flood-affected women and girls. Japan and UNWOMEN have a long-standing partnership globally, with various collaborations for upholding gender equality, women’s empowerment, and disability inclusion.”

Sharmeela Rassool, UN Women Representative in Pakistan, thanked the government of Japan for generous financial support to the flood-affected women and girls located in the most vulnerable districts of Pakistan in 2022. "This partnership exemplifies the commitment to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of women and girls in the face of adversity. This support is pivotal in our on-ground efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment within the humanitarian-peace-development nexus.”

The funds provided by the Japanese government supports delivery of essential humanitarian services including psycho-social support, raising awareness of gender-based violence, assistance for survivors of violence, help with application for civic documentation, and entrepreneurship development.

The relief goods provided to women were mother kits, baby kits, and inclusion kits.