UNIDO recognizes that expanding (self) employment and creating livelihood opportunities for women through productive work and income generating activities are one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty and promote female economic empowerment. Programme Background:
Gender equality is at the centre of the development process supported by the UN in Pakistan and is considered essential for a
chieving all the MDGs. UNIDO's Women Entrepreneurship Development Program is funded under the Joint UN Programme “Towards Gender Parity in Pakistan ” which is a critical component of the One UN approach in the country. The main challenge women entrepreneurs in Pakistan encounter are limited access to information and support services, ineffective linkages within the supply chain partners and limited access to markets. The Programme Concept:
The Women Entrepreneurship Development Program (WED) has been designed to facilitate synergies between government/ institutional level and public and private sector support services, to further initiatives and to provide gender sensitized support. The program is focusing on the integration of women in highly non-traditional sectors by applying UNIDO's model of Value Chain Analysis and implementing innovative strategies to train and connect women as producers and entrepreneurs with the value chain as productive member of the industry. Programme Aim:
The Programme aims to:
• Enhance Production Capacities
• Develop Marketing Strategies
• Identify Skills Requirement
• Provide relevant Training Opportunities
By focussing on the following three sub-sectors of the creative industries:
• Marble Mosaic/Inlay
• Gems and Jewellery and
• Home Textiles
