Financial inclusion for women hits 52% in Pakistan

December 04, 2025 (MLN):  Women’s financial empowerment in Pakistan has reached a milestone, with inclusion rates soaring to 52%, a transformative shift in the country’s economic landscape and a narrowing gender gap in access to financial services.

This surge reflects the growing participation of women in the formal economy and the success of sustained efforts to integrate them into the financial system.

Speaking at Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day (PWED) 2025, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Mr. Jameel Ahmad, emphasized that no nation can grow when half of its population is excluded from finance, said a press release issued.

He highlighted that women’s financial inclusion has risen from 4% to 52% since 2018, with the gender gap shrinking from 47% to 30%.

More than 17.6 million new women-owned bank accounts have been added since 2021, reflecting active engagement in the financial system.

Between November 2024 and October 2025, over 974,000 loans worth Rs. 230.3 billion were disbursed to women-led businesses.

Governor Jameel Ahmad acknowledged the critical support of Pakistan’s banking industry in achieving these milestones.

Over the past three years, more than 14,600 women have joined the banking workforce, raising the overall female employee ratio from 13% to 17%. At SBP, a batch of young female graduates joined under the Emerging Women Leaders Initiative, and the central bank now has a female member on its Board.

At the national level, Pakistan became the 19th global signatory of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code in February 2025, pledging, along with 22 banks, to improve women’s access to finance through data sharing, new initiatives, and leadership appointments.

This year, more than 300 awareness and mentorship programs were conducted across 55 districts, engaging over 45,000 women, further demonstrating Pakistan’s commitment to translating inclusion commitments into measurable outcomes.

PWED 2025, held at SBP Karachi and mirrored in 16 field offices nationwide, served as a platform to celebrate the creativity, determination, and success of women driving economic transformation in Pakistan.

The event featured award ceremonies including the Women of Impact Awards, Business Idea Competition, and Empower Her Campaign Awards.

Guest speakers, including Dr. Zeelaf Munir, Chairperson Pakistan Business Council; Ms. Saira Awan Malik, CEO TCS Group; and Ms. Shabista Bakhtiar, President Women Chamber of Commerce, Karachi, shared their insights on opportunities and challenges in women entrepreneurship.

The celebration brought together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, business leaders, and inspiring women entrepreneurs, highlighting Pakistan’s growing ecosystem for women-led businesses and commitment to economic inclusion.

Copyright Mettis Link News