The Securities and Exchange of Pakistan (SECP) and the Asian Development Bank on January 24, 2024, jointly organized the ‘Women in Finance Thought Leaders Workshop’, involving experts from the microfinance sector, ADB, Women’s World Banking, IFC, and Google, to discuss strategies for women’s empowerment and financial inclusion. The inaugural day of the workshop witnessed a dynamic exploration of international best practices in the microfinance sector, shedding light on the challenges faced by non-bank microfinance institutions, particularly concerning liquidity and limited access to finance, a news release said.
A comprehensive review of the non-bank microfinance sector in Pakistan took center stage at the workshop, providing a deeper understanding of the current landscape and opportunities for growth. Throughout the day, the workshop featured moderated sessions that delved into various facets of microfinance. A dedicated session highlighted the intersection of women and digital financial services.
The participants explored innovative approaches to empower women through technology and enhance their participation in the financial ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of amplifying the voices of women in the financial sector, the workshop featured discussions on understanding and addressing the unique needs and perspectives of female customers. One of the key takeaways of the day was that the solution lies in synergizing the initiatives in way that stakeholders’ compliment and supplement the efforts. The day two of workshop would build and design proposal for policy intervention to accelerate female financial inclusion.
Source: IBP