From queues to careers Unlocking Pakistan’s female potential

ACROSS Asia, women are driving economic change. In Bangladesh, India and Thailand, millions of women work in factories, offices and service industries, contributing directly to national productivity. In Pakistan, however, many women remain outside the workforce, relying on the Benazir Income Support Programme, which receives an annual budget of approximately Rs 716 billion. Images shared online show women waiting in long queues for cash, highlighting both the importance of welfare and the untapped potential that exists if women are given opportunities to work. Welfare programs like BISP are essential for survival. They provide families with basic security, put food on the table and prevent extreme poverty. Fatima, a young mother in a small town, depends on BISP to feed her children while her husband’s irregular income struggles to cover household expenses. Without this support, daily life would be a struggle. Yet she dreams of learning sewing and joining a local textile unit. By contributing financially to her household and gaining new skills, she can transform her life and inspire her community. Fatima’s story shows that welfare ensures survival, but work opportunities have the power to change lives. The economic benefits of including women in the workforce are evident across the globe. In Bangladesh, women dominate a significant portion of the garment sector, generating exports and boosting the national economy while gaining social mobility. In Thailand, nearly half the workforce consists of women thriving in manufacturing, tourism and technology. Rwanda offers a striking example; after the 1994 genocide, women represented more than seventy percent of the workforce. With the right support, entrepreneurship programs and microfinance, they rebuilt the economy and empowered communities. Even in developed countries such as Germany and Sweden, strong childcare systems and parental leave policies have enabled high female participation, contributing directly to sustained