By Ayesha Saba

Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to expanding women's participation in the economy, emphasizing that greater inclusion in education, entrepreneurship and the workforce is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth under the URAAN Pakistan initiative.

According to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives' Monthly Development Update (June 2026), a national consultation on gender equality and women's economic empowerment was held in Islamabad on May 14, 2026, to explore policy measures aimed at strengthening women's role in the country's development.

The report states that participants highlighted women's equal participation in economic and social life as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. The consultation emphasized that expanding opportunities for women would not only promote gender equality but also contribute to higher productivity, stronger economic growth and improved social outcomes.

According to the document, discussions focused on improving women's access to quality education, encouraging entrepreneurship and expanding access to finance to enable more women to establish and grow businesses. These measures were identified as important drivers of inclusive economic development and long-term national prosperity.

The report notes that the consultation also acknowledged the growing academic achievements of Pakistani women while stressing the need to translate educational gains into greater economic participation. Participants observed that although women continue to make progress in education, additional efforts are needed to create employment and business opportunities that allow them to contribute more actively to the economy.

According to the Ministry of Planning, increasing women's labour force participation remains critical for unlocking Pakistan's economic potential. The consultation underscored that greater inclusion of women in productive economic activities would help strengthen household incomes, improve labour productivity and support sustainable economic growth.

The document further states that participants called for stronger integration of women into the national development framework through policies that promote equal opportunities and remove barriers to economic participation. It notes that mainstreaming gender considerations across development planning would facilitate more inclusive and balanced economic progress.

The consultation formed part of the government's broader URAAN Pakistan initiative, which seeks to promote inclusive development by ensuring that all segments of society contribute to and benefit from economic growth. According to the report, empowering women through education, skills development and improved economic opportunities is considered a key pillar of this approach.

The report concludes that strengthening women's economic empowerment will require coordinated efforts involving government institutions, the private sector and financial institutions to improve access to education, finance and entrepreneurship opportunities. It adds that increasing women's participation in the labour market will play an important role in supporting Pakistan's long-term development objectives and building a more inclusive economy.

Credit: INP-WealthPk