Meta and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) collaborate to empower
women
In a groundbreaking partnership, Meta, the parent company of
social media giants Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has joined forces with
the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to launch an initiative aimed at digitally
empowering 500 women entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The collaborative effort aims to provide training, resources,
and networking opportunities to enhance the digital presence and capabilities
of women entrepreneurs. Titled 'The Digital Bridge: Advancing Financial
Inclusion for Pakistan,' the initiative was
unveiled during a prestigious
launch ceremony held in Karachi.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of
Commerce, Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as representatives
from the telecommunication, banking, and business communities, underscoring a
strong commitment to support women's economic empowerment.
To select participants for the program, Meta will partner with
consulting agency Demo. Demo will identify individuals from Pakistan's
export-oriented chambers and small business owners who previously participated
in the initial phase of the SheMeansBusiness curriculum in the country.
SheMeansBusiness, initially launched by Meta in 2018, has
already provided training to over 30,000 women across 51 cities, including
those in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
The newly selected participants will receive essential tools and
techniques necessary to thrive in the competitive online landscape and expand
their businesses.
Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor of SBP, highlighted the pivotal role
of small businesses in driving Pakistan's economy and expressed delight in
supporting Meta's initiative to empower more women entrepreneurs and small
businesses in the country. Sima also expressed hope that the knowledge gained
through the program would enable participants to tap into export markets
successfully.
Beth Ann Lim, Meta's Director of Policy Programs, reaffirmed the
organization's commitment to supporting Pakistan's economic growth by
empowering small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, through
digital upskilling and revenue stream development. She expressed gratitude for
the collaboration with SBP, the National Institute of Banking and Finance
(NIBAF), and Demo, expressing optimism in working together to unlock the
potential of women-owned businesses and foster a more equitable society.
Riaz Chunara, Managing Director of NIBAF, praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of equipping small businesses with the necessary tools and techniques to effectively leverage the digital space. He stressed that this support would not only enhance their reach within Pakistan but also provide the impetus needed to expand beyond national borders.