Mapping of Organizations Engaged in Women Economic Empowerment in AJ&K

Project Description

Bagh is one of the administrative units of the Government of AJ&K. The district has a population of 0.38 Million, with a gross literacy rate of 70%. Population primarily draws its livelihood through agriculture, livestock, small-scale business and government employment.
Non-government organizations are playing a pivotal role is the overall social & economic development of district Bagh, through their focused and integrated interventions. Women development is a fundamental area of focus being handled by the NGOs, keeping in view their role in the socio-economic uplift of their families.
NRSP is the biggest player in the domain of women economic development. NRSP has vocational skills training programme in place, which is being executed with the support of multilateral donors, on a project-to-project basis. NRSP’s relationship is deep with the community as well as Government’s departments owing to the community engagement & development model that is being followed by NRSP.
Microfinance extension to the women is another regular intervention of NRSP. This allows women to have successful micro-enterprise startups. Such startups help the women to earn a sustainable livelihood.
Islamic Relief UK is another major organization handling women economic development very keenly. Improving Household Economy through Sustainable Agribusiness Support (IHESAS), is a flagship project of Islamic Relief. IHESAS takes care of women economic development through agriculture and livestock based interventions. The selected beneficiaries are trained for kitchen gardening and small scale agri-farming, along with livestock handling. Tool kits of necessary tools are awarded to the beneficiaries. There is defined grant limit up to PKR 50,000, which helps the beneficiaries enter in to their own self-sustained venture.
Women Welfare Organization of Poonch (WWOP) is another major NGO that works for women’s development at a grass root level. Rain water harvesting and women enterprise development through vocational based trades are the key achievements of WWOP.
Khushhali Bank being the leading microfinance bank has no specific provision of microfinance for women development. However, the bank extends micro loans to all its prospective clients including women.
Value addition through forward integration in the value chain, entrepreneurship & enterprise development, introduction of the contemporary skills trades including computer-based skills, Information & Communication technology-related trades etc are the key requirements for ensuring women participation in delivering economic output and value.
The NGOs need to integrate their focus in similar areas of intervention. This knowledge & best practices sharing can produce multiple effects on the overall economic uplift of the women.