The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken a decisive step toward advancing gender equality by introducing its Draft Women EquiSmart Policy 2025–2028. This landmark initiative marks the regulator’s first comprehensive gender-focused framework designed specifically for Pakistan’s regulated sectors, spanning capital markets, insurance, non-banking finance companies, and the broader corporate landscape.
Published on the SECP’s official website for public consultation, the draft policy moves away from the sporadic, project-based diversity initiatives of the past. Instead, it represents a strategic pivot to a well-defined, cohesive regulatory approach aimed at embedding gender inclusion deep within the corporate fabric of Pakistan. The policy aligns with both national priorities and international frameworks that call for stronger participation of women across economic and governance spheres.
Central to the Women EquiSmart Policy are six thematic pillars that collectively address the multi-dimensional aspects of gender equality in the regulated space. These pillars include promoting women’s leadership on corporate boards, instituting gender-disaggregated data reporting, fostering women’s entrepreneurship, encouraging gender-smart financial products, building inclusive workplace environments, and enhancing institutional capacity for gender mainstreaming.
Through these pillars, the SECP seeks to not only highlight the current practices within Pakistan’s regulated sectors but also to diagnose existing gaps that have limited women’s participation and advancement. The draft lays out clear, actionable recommendations that come with proposed timelines and assign responsibilities to key stakeholders to ensure accountability and measurable progress.
For instance, under the pillar of women’s leadership, the framework emphasizes increased female representation in boardrooms and top management roles. In gender-disaggregated reporting, it advocates for regulated entities to systematically collect and disclose data that captures gender dimensions across employment, product usage, and market access. Meanwhile, the policy encourages financial institutions and fintech players to innovate gender-smart products that specifically address the financial needs of women, whether in savings, credit, or insurance.
By addressing workplace inclusivity, the SECP calls for concrete measures to build supportive work environments through fair recruitment practices, equal pay initiatives, and anti-harassment mechanisms. The institutional capacity pillar focuses on equipping both regulators and industry participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to champion gender equality effectively.
Recognizing that sustainable impact requires collaboration, the SECP has invited feedback from all stakeholders — including corporates, financial institutions, industry associations, civil society, and the general public — on the proposed policy recommendations and their implementation roadmap. This open consultation phase is intended to gather diverse perspectives and ensure that the final policy is robust, practical, and widely endorsed.
The draft Women EquiSmart Policy signals a significant moment for Pakistan’s regulatory ecosystem. If implemented effectively, it holds the promise of transforming how gender diversity is woven into the governance and operational frameworks of businesses, financial institutions, and market participants. With its focus on measurable actions and long-term institutional change, the SECP aims to foster a more inclusive, competitive, and equitable economic environment where women can thrive alongside their male counterparts.
The SECP has urged all interested parties to review the draft policy document available on its website and submit their feedback within the stipulated consultation period, setting the stage for what could become a pivotal policy shift in Pakistan’s journey toward gender-balanced economic growth.