The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), UN Women, and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a Joint Statement of Collaboration on 19 October. This agreement seeks to bolster inclusive social protection services, women's empowerment, and gender equality for millions of women throughout Pakistan.
Over 10 million women currently receive quarterly financial aid through the Benazir Kafaalat Programme. Senator Rubina Khalid said, "Our collaboration with UN Women and WFP will help ensure that social protection services are safe, accessible and responsive to the needs of women and vulnerable communities."
Jamshed M. Kazi stated that Pakistan has established one of the world's largest cash transfer systems for women, noting the shared goal is to move beyond financial aid to improve women's safety, voices, and economic choices by involving men and families as partners. The three organisations will create a Gender-Responsive Social Protection Working Group to oversee the initiative.
Partners will perform gender assessments on up to 12 Benazir Nashonuma facilitation centres across all four provinces. The project will also evaluate the requirements of female Nashonuma frontline staff.
Technical support will be provided to finalise the Gender Strategy for BISP as part of institutional capacity-building measures. The collaboration aligns with Pakistan's commitments to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 5.
