Increasing productivity in Pakistan through a gender and vulnerability lens
This policy brief examines recommendations to encourage female participation in the labour force in Pakistan.
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Ahmed-and-Said-Policy-Brief-August-2022.pdf
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- Reducing vulnerability to shocks and increasing productivity requires increasing income opportunities for women. Pakistan’s female labour force is currently amongst the lowest in South Asia.
- Estimates suggest that closing the gender gap in labour force participation could lead to a one-off 30% boost in GDP.
- Social norms, financial exclusion, lack of access to finance, inadequate skills, and lack of safe transport options are amongst the major challenges faced by women in the workforce.
- This brief examines recommendations to encourage female participation in the labour force in Pakistan, including establishing targets to ensure women are considered by financial institutions and included in businesses; reducing the stigma related to female breadwinners; and addressing mobility and safety concerns for
women.