With a vision statement of “financially included, economically empowered Pakistanis” Karandaaz Pakistan, through all of its four verticals i.e., Capital, Digital, Innovation and Research; is working to develop and promote an all-inclusive and a conducive financial environment and accords great importance to equal provision of financial services to women.

Karandaaz has taken a unique step in transforming the lives of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, since only 22.4% women are employed in Pakistan.

According to a growing body of evidence, increased female participation in the economy, particularly via women-owned small and medium enterprises has positive effects on economic growth and wider developmental goals and priorities. Despite such mounting evidence, we find that women-owned SMEs and female entrepreneurs face barriers and constraints that severely restrict their growth potential.

Despite encouraging advancements in the number of first time bank account holders, a startling gender gap persists in financial inclusion as a result of a variety of barriers to access across the developing world.