The Mastercard Strive Women program in Pakistan has formed a strategic partnership with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) to enhance financial inclusion for women-led micro and small enterprises. This collaboration aims to address the significant barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, where a large portion of the population remains unbanked.
Strive Women, supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and implemented by CARE, seeks to empower women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam by improving their financial health and resilience. In Pakistan, the program aims to support 100,000 entrepreneurs, with at least 70% being women.
By partnering with BOP, Strive Women aims to leverage the bank’s range of financial services and products to reach a wider segment of women entrepreneurs. BOP has demonstrated a strong commitment to women’s empowerment through its tailored financial products and services.
The partnership will focus on two key areas: increasing access and usage of financial products for women-led small businesses and co-designing tailored financial solutions that meet their specific needs.
The collaboration between BOP, CARE Pakistan, and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth is expected to have a significant impact on women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan. By providing women entrepreneurs with access to formal financial services, the partnership can help them grow their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the country’s economic development.