In a joint effort to celebrate the success of the Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project, UN Women and the Government of Japan organized a showcase event in Karachi.
The initiative, backed by a $1.85 million fund from the Government of Japan, has played a pivotal role in delivering essential relief and protection services to women and girls in flood-affected areas across nine districts in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The project, responding to the aftermath of the 2022 floods, aimed to enhance the resilience and adaptability of women and girls in the face of emergencies and natural disasters.
The humanitarian assistance provided by Japan specifically targeted women-focused services, emphasizing their empowerment and leadership roles within their communities.
Addressing the audience, Muhammad Asghar Memon, Secretary Planning and Development Department of the Government of Sindh, expressed gratitude, stating, “The support from the Government of Japan came at a critical time for the women and girls in the flood-affected areas. This contribution significantly helped provide essential relief and protection services, enabling them to assume leadership roles within their communities. Japan’s generosity serves as a testament to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations.”
Hattori Masaru, Consul General Japan in Karachi, reiterated Japan’s commitment to women’s human rights and combating gender-based violence. He highlighted the long-standing partnership between Japan and UN Women, emphasizing various collaborations globally for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and disability inclusion.
Masaru expressed his sincere thanks to UN Women for its dedicated efforts in strengthening women’s leadership in Pakistan.
Sharmeela Rassool, UN Women Representative in Pakistan, expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Japan for their generous financial support.
“This partnership exemplifies the commitment to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of women and girls in the face of adversity. This support is pivotal in our on-ground efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment within the humanitarian-peace-development nexus,” she stated.
The funds provided by the Japanese Government support the delivery of essential humanitarian services, including psychosocial support, gender-based violence awareness, assistance for survivors of violence, help with application for civic documentation, and entrepreneurship development. The relief goods provided to women include mother kits, baby kits, and inclusion kits.