By Faiza Tehseen

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 26 (INP-WealthPK): To alleviate poverty and ensure women’s contribution to financial stream, the Government of Pakistan has introduced interest-free loans under “Ehsaas program” — a flagship welfare initiative.

In the framework of Ehsaas, 50% plus benefits are marked for women and girls. Ehsaas is providing stipends to girls, economic support and interest-free loans to women. Till October 2021, out of 1.4 million Ehsaas interest-free loans, 46% were disbursed to rural women across 110 districts of Pakistan. More than three quarters of the entire Ehsaas benefits are allocated for women and girls under the Ehsaas 50% + benefits policy. In the same way, the services of women and girls as home-based or other labour workers all over the country are well considered under “Mazdoor ka Ehsaas” initiative. National Poverty Graduation initiative of Ehsaas program aims to lift poor women out of poverty. It will make them active participants of socio-economic course. On the other hand, under Ehsaas Amdan program, 60% of small livelihood assets have been allocated for women. The said assets include agricultural inputs, agricultural tools, livestock, auto rickshaws and inputs for small retail enterprises. It is designed to give a massive relief to people through interest-free loans, assets transfer, vocational and skills development trainings. It is planned that under the umbrella of Ehsaas program, around 80,000 interest-free loans will be disbursed nationwide. The range of interest-free loans is from Rs20,000 to Rs75,000. It is estimated that at least 3.8 million interest-free loans will be issued to 2.28 million households to benefit about 14.7 million people. As many as 1,110 Ehsaas centres are established with the coordination of 22 partner non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to issue loans. The 45% women beneficiaries of this program are provided with an opportunity to build microenterprises. According to Ehsaas officials, in all Ehsaas programs, 50% or more shares are allocated for women. For example, Ehsaas Kafaalat is totally for women in the form of monthly scholarships. Ehsaas under-graduate scholarships segment offers 50% scholarships for females. Education scholarships are issued for students from nursery level to class 12th. In the said program, the scholarship amount allocated for girls is more than that for boys. The same is the case with Nashonuma program. According to WealthPK research, under Kafaalat, Nashonuma education scholarships, all the amounts are issued to women only. In the same way, Ehsaas interest-free loans program has disbursed 46% loans to women. Naima Ansari, President of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), Islamabad while talking to WealthPK stated that Ehsaas program is a positive initiative for financial development and economic support. However, she said, it is limited to a specific social circle. “ “Women want to take a step ahead for their economic growth at all levels in Pakistan. It is important to support such women as well who belong to urban areas. Although there is a dire need to support the women belonging to rural areas and ultra-poor households, it is also a fact that economic support is necessary for women at all scales in Pakistan,” she stated. Naima said that chambers of commerce for women have been established in almost all major cities of Pakistan. “When any policies are framed by the government concerning women empowerment, it is important to invite all stakeholders related to women empowerment including working and business ladies. It will help in better planning of socio-economic development of women,” she said. Sadaf Asim, Senior Vice President of Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), in her views concerning Ehsaas program’s steps to empower women said there are some difficulties for women to get support, grant or loan under Ehsaas initiative. While talking to WealthPK, she said the documentation process must be made easy and smart. “A large number of women from poor and ultra-poor communities are mostly illiterate and do not understand complicated paperwork. It is important to make the system more flexible for them. On the other hand, women who want to support their families or to do any proper business are mostly aged ones. The focus must be made on considering age limit not as a hurdle, and opportunities must be equal for all age groups,” she said. Robina Shafqat, Vice President of IWCCI, also shared her views with WealthPK. “Ehsaas program is a good initiative to empower women. It will help make them independent and an active part of socio-economic circle. Financial independence will help them not only to support their households but to up bring their children in the right direction,” she said. Jamshed Akhter Sheikh, Senior Vice President of ICCI, told WealthPK that Ehsaas program is a positive initiative of the government to empower women and to decrease gender discrimination. He said at least 60 women are active members of ICCI. “It is important to empower and educate women for the development of society. It is important for government to take proper steps to empower women. Only then Pakistan can get a strong economic development. Half of Pakistan’s population consists of women, but their contribution to workforce is less than 25%,” he said. Making a large number of women and girls an active part of socio-economic stream will boost Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) by at least 33%. About 48% of Pakistan’s population are female. At least 26% of women in Pakistan take part in labour works while 7 million women work in agricultural fall as contributing family workers. For poor and ultra-poor households, such programs will bring a new light towards independence and prosperity.