Success would be when women exit the programme & become self-reliant: Faisal Karim Kundi

ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (SABAH): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) /Minister of State on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Faisal Karim Kundi inaugurated the symposium titled “Promoting Shared Knowledge for Continued Actions to Support Gender Justice and Equality”.

Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) and Oxfam in Pakistan collaborated under the Global Affairs Canada funded project Women’s Voice & Leadership – Pakistan (WVL-P) to organize a Knowledge sharing symposium in Islamabad on Thursday.

The symposium was inaugurated by Faisal Karim Kundi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM)/Minister of State on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety. During his address Faisal karim Kundi appreciated the work of HRDN and Oxfam in promoting gender justice, equality and their overall struggle for social and economic protection of women and girls.

He talked about the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) that has a total of 8.7 million beneficiaries, all of whom are women from poor households. “For us, a success would be when women exit the programme and become self-reliant”, said Faisal Karim Kundi while also discussing the ways in which the BISP team is trying to innovate and streamline the cash distribution system.

He also talked about using technology to make the process of cash transfers smooth and transparent. He opened the floor for suggestions and feedback on how the BISP team can continue to improve their systems.

He also discussed how BISP was able to support the Government of Pakistan in distributing funds to flood affected women. Faisal karim Kundi expressed hope that the work of alliances under HRDN and Oxfam can continue in uplifting women out of economic hardship by strengthening skills, supporting income generating grants and social safety programs.

The knowledge products launched during the event are part of the issue-based research grants initiative integrated under the Women’s Voice & Leadership – Pakistan project.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for HRDN members, community practitioners, women / human right experts, academia as well as policy makers to come together and establish shared learning and knowledge on existing gaps in women related laws and policies in a changing world and contribute to formulate suggestions and transform our collective actions as a way forward.