Pakistan’s journey toward building a more inclusive financial ecosystem achieved a landmark breakthrough today with the launch of the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Finance Code. This major initiative, spearheaded by the State Bank of Pakistan in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, aims to transform the country’s financial landscape by fostering equitable access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
The introduction of the WE Finance Code was marked by a formal signing ceremony attended by representatives from 20 commercial and microfinance banks across Pakistan. By endorsing this framework, these banks have committed to playing a proactive role in closing the gender finance gap and supporting female-led enterprises. The Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) extended strong support to the initiative, applauding the dedication shown by these institutions to advance gender parity in the financial sector.
Central to the WE Finance Code is a structured approach that tackles the barriers women face in accessing financial services. The framework sets out clear expectations for banks to deepen data collection on women customers, design tailored financial products that address the distinct needs of female entrepreneurs, and establish transparent institutional accountability mechanisms. Moreover, it encourages extensive outreach campaigns to raise awareness and engage more women in formal banking channels.
This initiative is also closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, which emphasizes achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. By fostering equal access to financial resources and entrepreneurial opportunities, the WE Finance Code is positioned as a strategic tool to accelerate progress toward these global objectives within Pakistan’s economy.
The Pakistan Banks’ Association not only praised the combined efforts of the State Bank and the Asian Development Bank in launching this program but also congratulated the banks that have already pledged their support. It underscored the importance of collective responsibility within the financial community and encouraged all remaining institutions to come onboard. A unified commitment, the PBA noted, would ensure the development of a banking ecosystem that is not only inclusive and equitable but also resilient and adaptive to the future demands of a diverse customer base.
Industry observers view the WE Finance Code as a timely intervention to counter persistent disparities in Pakistan’s credit markets, where women-led businesses often struggle to secure the financing required for growth and sustainability. As these 20 banks begin rolling out initiatives under this code, expectations are high that more women across urban and rural areas will gain the financial backing needed to scale their ventures, contribute to job creation, and drive broader economic activity.
The launch of this code underscores a growing recognition within Pakistan’s financial sector of the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play in fostering innovation and long-term economic resilience. It also signals a shift towards more data-driven, customer-focused banking practices that cater to underrepresented segments. Moving forward, continuous monitoring, accountability, and refinement of these initiatives will be essential to ensure meaningful impact.
By embedding gender-focused priorities into mainstream banking practices, Pakistan takes a decisive step toward nurturing a dynamic financial ecosystem where opportunity is accessible to all, regardless of gender.