Gender and Development

Pakistan

Microfinance Sector Development Program, 2000

The Microfinance Program Loan aims to address sector needs by providing finance to the poor: particularly women. A program component includes establishment of a policy and legal framework, while an investment component includes provision of sustainable outreach to the poor through a Microfinance Bank linked with community organizations and facilitated by NGOs.

During the project designing stage, a Resident Mission Gender Specialist was involved in the project team that developed specific measures which will ensure women's access to the finance and training required to enable them to undertake successful income-generating activities. The project sets a provision that a minimum 40 per cent of the total borrowers will be women.

To ensure effective gender mainstreaming, the National Commission on the Status of Women and NGOs concerned with women's rights will be members of the Consultative Group for the Project Management Unit. A Social Development Fund will, through social intermediation activities, provide women with the skills needed to participate effectively in the program. Half of the field staff of the Micro-finance Bank will be women, to ensure that female clients are easily reached. Transport will also be provided to reduce female mobility constraints.

These gender considerations has been incorporated into the loan agreement and Project Administration Memorandum. Throughout the implementation period, collection and analysis of gender disaggregated data will enable the Program's impact on women to be closely monitored, with adjustments made as necessary.