Last week witnessed the launch of the STRIVE WOMEN program in Pakistan, spearheaded by CARE and Mastercard teams, marking a significant step towards improving financial health and economic justice for women-led small businesses.
The objective of the program is clear: to empower women entrepreneurs and address the systemic challenges they face in accessing financial services and achieving economic equality. The event brought together advocates, industry leaders, and stakeholders committed to driving tangible change for women in Pakistan.
During the panel discussions, participants shared their commitments to challenging the status quo and advancing women’s economic empowerment. As the founder of Neem, I pledged to collaborate with businesses that prioritize designing products for women customers, advocate for women’s economic justice with regulators and policymakers, and support women within our organization to pursue leadership roles and become role models for change.
Rathi Mani-Kandt from CARE succinctly captured the essence of the initiative by emphasizing the importance of designing products that genuinely address women’s needs, avoiding mere “pink washing” and treating women as valued customers with unique challenges and aspirations.
The launch of the STRIVE WOMEN program represents a significant opportunity to unlock the potential of the largest untapped market in the world: women. By addressing barriers to financial inclusion and fostering an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, we can drive sustainable economic growth and create a more equitable society.
