Empowering women in the digital age

Women empowerment aims at developing self belief and encouraging women to be self-sufficient. It aims at social and financial emancipation of women from all walks of life. This plays a vital role in changing the social standing of women. This enables women to achieve a stable life; and contributes in creating sustainable social and financial stability.

Every year, on March 8, International Women’s Day is celebrated, a symbol of encouragement to women, acknowledging their endurance and greatness.

When women are financially independent, they can not only make informed choices, but also share the burden of expenses, a need of the day in Pakistan’s bleak financial condition.

Encouraging education in women is important for the development of society, family and the country. A strong women can raise a strong and healthy family. Education and skill learning are the major steps towards women empowerment. Their addition in workforce can prove handy in the financial matters of society, if they are taught appropriate skills

In the digital era, women should be equipped with digital devices and accessories such as mobiles, laptops and electric scooters. These digital devices can allow women to educate themselves; and learn different skills which can prove helpful for enhancing their self-worth. These digital devices and tools provides opportunities to women by exposing them to endless options the world has to offer. They can start their own business, gain education, learn skills, find jobs and can perform many other important task.

Punjab Member of Provincial Assembly Bushra Anjum Butt, who is a part of women empowerment and education committees, aims to work for the encouragement and empowerment of women. The Punjab legislator got Woman Chamber of Commerce & industry (WCCI) and Finpro together through an MOU, whereby WCCI members will avail the facility of buying smart devices on installments on market competitive rates and in the simplest possible manner. Butt observed that our women (52% of Pakistan) have to go through a tedious process of consumer credit, cumbersome verification, and painstaking time. Easy access to smart devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops and electric scooters can help women in their financial/economic growth, hence enhancing them economically and lives of people around them.

The Punjab MPA told Bol News, that ”basically being a parliamentarian I attended a meeting of federation where they signed an MoU with Allfalah Bank to facilitate women. In my opinion woman empowerment should not be confined to legislation only; the whole concept and process needs to be facilitated practically”. Maintaining this Butt added, “I thought of the idea because during and after Cov I observed the financial condition of various women, I also did a research report with UN Women in which it was revealed that the divorce rate among the women who are sitting at homes has increased besides economic insecurity setbacks. So there were many women who were sitting at home and if they were provided with little facilities”.

Punjab MPA further stated that,  in the light of various researches, conducted by different NGO’s  a solution was proposed to equip women with digital gadget. This step would ensure that , the women get introduced to the world of digitalization and banking where numerous opportunities awaits them. Whether they want to sell online products or to start their own business, they would require digital gadgets. Women face hindrance in acquiring digital devices on installments and as a result, they miss out on a lot of earning opportunities. With that in mind, I approached Finpro company and requested them to help us out, by providing digital devices to women on easy installments on low mark up. Butt added  that “to make this project more credible, we acknowledged it with WCCI. To expand the scope of this initiative we have UN women projects in the pipeline as well”.

She added that besides this initiative, “we are also trying to include this into Engro’s women empowerment program as well. Because these digital devices and tools are necessary for women to promote their business and small cottage industry. This is the world of digitization and I don’t think any women can attain financial independence without the use of digital devices or banking”.

According to Butt, the project is at it’s initial stage, efforts are being made to give customized programmes at organizational level. This project, will not be just limited to mobiles or tabs only, arelectric scootys are also being arranged, “This is a great initiative especially for those women who don’t or can’t  step outside their house, with the help of these devices they can perform different tasks from home. With this initiative we are making the process easier and convenient for women”.

The Punjab MPA reiterated, that “we have to make women of our country self-sufficient so they can become an active member and contributor to our economy. Almost 50 percent of our population constitutes of women and unless we make them part of our economy by providing them with facilities at their door step, they are liabilities on our economy and it should be our responsibility to turn them into valuable asset through women empowerment”.

Rifat javaid, a member of WCCI said, that she recently availed this service offered by Finpro with collaboration of WCCI. Riffat said, that she received her mobile within 24 hours after the completion of the required documentation. It is very satisfying to experience and receive such services at door steps. “I would like to thank WCCI and Finpro management for their professional assistance”.

Ayesha is an entrepreneur who is handling and dealing in retail business, she expressed her excitement at this initiative. “I am a working business woman, a few days ago I submitted my  request to Finfro through WCCI recent initiative for an Iphone. Finpro booked my iphone on the very same day of my application. I was guided through the complete process by Finpro team. The very next day my phone was delivered at my door. It’s a good service followed by a crystal clear process”.

Fauzia Viqar, a women rights expert and activist said, that establishing job centers is essential for strengthening women’s empowerment. The most important responsibility of these job centers should be to connect women with available jobs in the market. Secondly these jobs center should educate women about the principle of the CV writing and at the same time they should be coached on how to appear in an interview.

Viqar said, that one of the important responsibility of the job centers should be to give available jobs insight to the women and connect them with market and industrial vacant placements.

Suggesting the development model for women empowerment the activist further said, “it is important for the enhancement of  women empowerment to establish business incubators. There are lot of women pursuing their career in world of business but they are unaware of the process of dealing with business environment”. Adding to this Viqar said, “women who are coming to business field are unaware with the concerned business laws and they don’t  know how to handle practices related to tax.  So proper training is required to educate women about the complexity of the business universe”.

Emphasizing on the importance of women empowerment the renowned activist said, the state has a important role to play in women empowerment initiative. State should take the lead in this regard.

“It is very unfortunate to say that in our society most of the women face hindrance and violence when try to get job or establish their own business for their financial stability” says Aliya who is a women activist and works as an Gender Advisor with an International NGO.

Aliya said, “research confirms that gender based violence is an unfortunate and dire reality in present day Pakistan, where it is often legitimized in the name of culture, tradition and morality”.

Talking about the positive role of different institutions, Aliya said, “over the years, rising trends of reporting have been noted in Punjab due to active and helpful institutional mechanisms, such as police helpline 15, a violence against women center in Multan, 12 SBB Human Rights Centers, 36 Darul Amans, women police stations, increase in recruitment of women police officers, women protection officers, and help desks for women at police stations. These positive developments and assistance will further help women in becoming strong and financially self-sufficient,” she added.

Aliya opined about the role of Darul Amman, in providing shelter to oppressed women. According to her, married, single, divorce and widowed women can approach Darul Amans for emergency shelter, although most residents of Darul Amans are referred by Courts. Talking about positive developments and efforts made by Department of Darul Amans for encouraging and empowering women Aliya said, “over the years, Darul Amans have been used merely as temporary, emergency residence for female survivors of violence.