Region:Asia Pacific
Current UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PAK_D_2.1
PCO SN Outcome 3.1: Policies and plans are adopted and implemented to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of women (including from marginalized groups and home-based workers) (aligned to SP Output 8)
This outcome has been achieved through engaging relevant stakeholders to facillitate the implementation of Home Based Worker law in KP and Balochistan. For this purpose PCO held consultative meetings with provincial labour & human resources departments to explore avenues of collaboration on technical support and policy interventions that will enhance support to HBWs in achieving thier labour rights.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PAK_D_2.2
PCO SN Outcome 3.2: Women benefit from decent work, income security and socio-economic development (aligned to SP Output 9)
The outcome was successfully achieved in this reporting period. PCO's approach towards creating an environment where women benefit from devent work, income security and soecioeconomic development rested on enhancing the capacities of women home-based workers and women-owned businesses; increasing women's access to financial products and services, and social protection; engaging the government for implementation of relevant laws, especially the Home-Based Workers' Law; and engaging the private sector Women Empowerment Principles to assist them to formulate and implement gender responsive policies. Supporting women and women-owned businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID19, PCO provided one-time electronic cash grant transfer of PKR 17,000 to 4,500 to WHBWs to supplement their incomes, and act as a tool for economic recovery. PCO also aimed to enhance economic resilience through economic recovery solutions i.e., skills trainings supplemented with tool kits and linking WHBWs to local markets and other private companies to become part of their supply chains. In order to provide information and knowledge to HBWs and community women to avail loans and initiate small scale business, PCO in collaboration with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rolled out awareness and handholding sessions in Peshawar and Swabi. SBP representatives shared the different types of small & medium term loans, interest free loan schemes and other financing schemes available for women micro- entrepreneurs. A similar session was also conducted in Quetta with SBP representatives and Habib Bank Limited where Women Entreprenuers were introduced to different banking products available to finance thier micro enterprises. The challenges faced by women working in the private sector and opportunities for them to become more financially empowered and work in a harassment free workplace were identified in the assessment report conducted with 5 WEP signatories, namely K-electric, Jazz, Interloop, Habib Bank Limited and Pepsi Co Pakistan. The assessment was an initial step for WEPs signatories to improve the policy to promote decent work and harassment-free workplace in their companies. In addition, 17 senior Foodpanda Pakistan officials had increased understanding harassment-free and inclusive workplaces for all. The training provided foundation knowledge for the company to create the internal policy to ensure harassment-free and inclusive workplaces. The 25 aspiring women micro-entrepreneurs had increased knowledge on hygiene, food quality and packaging and improved connection with home-chef network as part of the training session conducted in partnership with Foodpanda in Sialkot. To further enhance income security and socio-economic development for women microentrepreneurs, the partnership with Jazz was established to increase digital literacy for 10,000 microentrepreneurs. Following issuance of the ESG Roadmap by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, PCO has initiated consultations with a range of relevant stakeholders - including the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and multinational and national corporate entities - to advance the adoption of the ESG standards. As a first step, discussions are ongoing for the development of a standardized reporting framework.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PAK_D_3.1
PCO SN Outcome 4.1: Laws, policies and strategies are adopted and implemented to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG) (aligned to SP Output 11)
The outcome has been achieved during the reporting period. A significant component of this work has been the legislative agenda, both the review of laws with a view to amending them in line with international commitments, as well as implementation of existing laws. Secondary legislation (such as Rules of Business and Standard Operating Procedures) was also drafted for existing laws to ensure their effective implementation. PCO is focusing on a few key laws for review and implementation in order to have a stronger impact. These include Child Marriage, Domestic Violence, Anti-Rape Law, Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace, and Property Rights. UN Women provided technical assistance to strengthen and adopt following laws through legislative drafting, comprehensive review of existing laws/rules and lobbying: 1- Probation Rules for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan: A comprehensive gender review of Probation Rules of KP and Balochistan was conducted in the reporting period. This review helped identifying gaps in rules - areas that were either gender blind or had negative impact on women and other gender minorities. Following this gender review, advocacy continued with relevant departments to incorporate the recommendations. 2- Rules of Business (RoBs) for Domestic Violence Act in KP and Balochistan: The RoBs for Domestic Violence Act in KP and Balochistan were approved and notified. UN Women PCO in partnership with Social Welfare and Women Development Departments advocated and lobbied for the adoption with the provincial Law Departments. Rules of Business were essential to address the major hurdle and ensure effective implementation of Domestic Violence Laws in both provinces. 3-Service Rules for Criminal Justice Institutions in KP and Balochistan: Towards the end of the reporting period, a gender review of Service Rules of KP and Balochistan, with the objective to make the rules more gender-responsive and bring forth proposals for enhancing gender parity in the provincial government service. After this review, the proposed revisions are shared with the provincial Services and General Administration (S&GA) Departments. UN Women PCO plans to lobby with these departments, with support of other relevant stakeholders, to adopt these proposals for making the Provincial Service rules more gender inclusive.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PAK_D_4.1
PCO SN Outcome 5.1: Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in preventing violent extremism and peace processes (aligned to SP Output 13).
The outcome has been achieved during the reporting year. A total of 228 Afghan and Pakistan women peace activist was engaged in the series of dialogue processes including focused group discussions (FGDs) which provided platform for women to bring their voices in the ongoing across-border dialogues and to contribute to the dynamic ecosystem of peace negotiations, and in doing so strengthening the voices and agency of women in the processes. Stronger women participation in in peace-building and preventing violent extremism (PVE) was established that underscored the importance of women's role and voice in preventing violent extremism and conflicts (especially with respect to changing conflict dynamics in Afghanistan) as well as the impact of violence on women. New gender- and conflict sensitive approaches allowed engagement of women in the pivotal PVE processes. UN Women adopted an approach of economic empowerment as a pathway and use terminology like 'social cohesion' to engage women in PVE work. Enabling environment for women’s greater role in peace and development were strengthened through strong media engagement and socio-cultural events that promoted social cohesion. Alternative narratives on women’s role in peace-building and PVE were circulated through different media channels, actors and means. The media campaigns included events that brought together influencers and community members to engage in dialogue and exchange perceptions on the role of women in the violent extremism, peace processes and development. Afghan cultural event that brought together over 200 people raised the awareness of the role of women as critical actors fostering peace and social cohesion through art, handicrafts, business and central community actors. One of the key takeaways from the Bilateral/Track II dialogues between Afghan and Pakistani women has been the need to support their economic recovery, since this would allow both Pakistani and Afghan to be economically self-reliant and also pave the pathway to regional peace and stability based on economic benefits. During the reporting period, PCO, under the $1.4 million USD Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), initatied supporting the socio-economic recovery of Pakistani and displaced Afghan women in Pakistan in vulnerable areas across Pakistan. As the project continues into 2023, women in Pakistan (both local and displaced) will have market-oriented skills, access to resources and markets to enable their socio-economic recovery and participate in peacebuilding processes.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-PAK_D_6.1
PCO SN Outcome 1.1: Mechanisms supported by UN Women are in place to assess and report on the progress of the Government of Pakistan’s international Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (GEWE) commitments (aligned to SP Output 1)
The outcome was achieved during the reporting period. Initatives headed by PCO - especially the setting up of data and evidence bases - have been impertative to assess and report on the progress of Pakistan's international GEWE commitments. During the reporting period, PCO continued to strengthen the National Gender Data Portal, including finalising the portal, data uploading and routine trouble shooting. The Planning and Development Departments in provinces and Bureau of Statistics were taken on board to streamline data supply. The P&D departments were also trained on NGDP, its indicators and data protocols after their agreement to provide provincial data to strengthen this repository. The support provided to CSWs and the NGDP is an imperative for PCO work towards upholding governance and oversight in the country. To strengthen reporting on Pakistan's international obligations on GEWE, PCO continued to work with diplomats of member states, as well as provide support to the Ministry of Human Rights, for recommending pragmatic measures development of reports. During the year, PCO contributed to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by providing recommendations, and assisted development of the CEDAW report through technical support provided to MoHR. Both these reports were submitted to UNCT during the reporting period and they have been further submitted to concerned UN entities.Showing 1 - 5 of 10
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