ISLAMABAD: UN Women, in conjunction with the Japanese government, held a showcase event in Karachi to celebrate the success of the Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project. The program aims to assist women and girls in flood-affected communities with critical relief and protection services, as well as to strengthen their resilience and adaptability to emergencies and catastrophes.
This USD 1.85 million initiative was made possible thanks to the kind support of the Japanese government, which gave humanitarian aid to flood-affected regions in 2022. The funds were allocated to women-focused humanitarian assistance in nine districts of Pakistan’s Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
While addressing the audience, Muhammad Asghar Memon, Secretary Planning and Development Department of the Government of Sindh, stated, “The assistance from the Government of Japan came at a critical time for the women and girls in the flood-affected areas. This contribution made a huge difference in providing critical relief and protection services, allowing them to take on leadership positions in their communities. Japan’s contribution demonstrates the deep links of friendship and collaboration between our two countries.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hattori Masaru, Consul General of Japan in Karachi, stated, “The Government of Japan remains dedicated to protecting women’s human rights and against all forms of gender-based violence.
In collaboration with UNWOMEN, we promoted safety and protection while also developing the leadership and resilience of flood-affected women and girls. Japan and UNWOMEN have a long-standing global connection, with numerous collaborations aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and disability inclusion. I’d want to take this occasion to offer my heartfelt gratitude to UNWOMEN for its persistent efforts and devotion to improving women’s leadership and inclusive development in my country.”
Sharmeela Rassool, UN Women Representative in Pakistan, expressed deep gratitude: “We thank the Government of Japan for their generous financial support to flood-affected women and girls in Pakistan’s most vulnerable districts in 2022. This collaboration demonstrates a commitment to promoting the well-being and empowerment of women and girls in the face of hardship. This funding is vital in our on-ground efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment within the humanitarian-peace-development nexus.”
The Japanese government’s funding helps to deliver essential humanitarian services. These services include psychosocial support, raising awareness of gender-based violence, assistance for survivors of violence, help with application for civic documentation, and entrepreneurship development. Relief products supplied to women include mother kits, infant kits, and inclusion.
