Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s University Tour, September 2017

Getting to Work: Women’s Economic Empowerment in Pakistan

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and the Master of Global Affairs Program, Munk School of Global Affairs invite you to join a conversation about women’s empowerment in Pakistan as part of AKFC’s annual University Seminar Series.

Women’s economic empowerment is fundamental to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Lack of access to economic resources and opportunities impacts women’s ability to participate and succeed in economic activities. In Pakistan, despite important progress in access to education, health, and participation in community life for women, many women still face significant barriers accessing economic opportunities. Many young women lack the skills, confidence and support to make key life decisions, including those related to employment and livelihoods. Within the labour market, the institutions intended to facilitate women’s participation are often weak and unable to implement laws meant to ensure women’s safety and security. This lack of a supportive environment discourages women from pursuing a wider range of employment opportunities – particularly those outside traditional income‐generating roles.

On September 29, join Yasmin Karim, Programme Manager with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme Pakistan, for a conversation about women’s empowerment in challenging contexts and how vocational and skills training in Pakistan is challenging social norms and transforming women’s roles in their household and their communities. By working through a case study, participants will explore how some of approaches, challenges and lessons learned implementing women’s economic empowerment programs.

Yasmin Karim is the Programme Manager, Gender and Development with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) Pakistan. Since 2011, Yasmin has worked with AKRSP to design and implement community development programs that drive women’s social and economic empowerment. Previously, she has worked for the International Rescue Committee, and the Aga Khan Development Network Multi-input Earthquake Reconstruction Programme. In 2005, Yasmin was one of 1000 women collectively nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize through the 1000 Peace Women initiative, and in 2012 she was awarded the Human Rights Defender Award by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.