A partnership that reached more than 1.6 million people in 63 districts across all four provinces
[Islamabad, 14 October 2026] – High Commission of Canada (Islamabad) and Kashf Foundation, Pakistan’s first specialized microfinance institution, marked the conclusion of a successful 10-year partnership to support the economic and social inclusion of women. With funding assistance from Global Affairs Canada, Kashf Foundation reached more than 1.6 million people across low-income communities in Pakistan, demonstrating that women’s economic opportunities improve when access to finance is combined with business skills, health education and support from families and communities.
The partnership’s most recent project helped address systemic barriers faced by women micro-entrepreneurs, building their financial and business management skills. It provided a range of support to over 1.4 million women, from basic financial literacy to structured financial education and business development training. The project also supported household well-being, providing maternal and reproductive health training for women and men and family members. Public awareness and advocacy campaigns were delivered through theatre and television dramas on addressing issues such as family planning, girls’ education, and cybercrime. These campaigns reached over 120 million viewers in Pakistan.
H.E. Tarik Ali Khan, High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, said:
“Economic empowerment and the social inclusion of women are essential for prosperity. Canada has been a proud supporter of Kashf Foundation’s efforts to create social awareness and economic opportunities for women across Pakistan.”
A third-party impact assessment of the project tracked changes in financial inclusion, business performance and household decision-making. Surveying 2,596 households across 14 districts, it showed that women who received a micro-loan along with financial management training were able to increase their incomes by 17% and improve their savings by 34%. Similarly, respondents who had received a loan and participated in the project’s business acceleration training earned 26% more than the those who did not receive training. Over one-third of trained participants were able to decide where and how to save and 33% were now managing their businesses independently. Some 94.5% of surveyed clients reported greater inclusion of women in household decision-making, and 83.4% said their families were supportive of their businesses.
Social Theatre also helped challenge gender norms, with 88% of male viewers reporting changed attitudes on gender roles. “Ten years ago, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, we set out to prove that when women move forward, families prosper, communities strengthen and economies grow,” said Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and Managing Director of Kashf Foundation. “We’ve demonstrated impact. Now it’s time for policymakers and businesses to scale up these lessons for greater impact.” The findings reinforce a central lesson: women’s economic empowerment is more sustainable when financial opportunity is created through skills development and support from households and communities, and when restrictive social norms are challenged. The partnership’s experience offers lessons for policymakers and businesses seeking to increase women’s economic participation in Pakistan.
