PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are critical to building stable, democratic societies; realizing human rights; furthering international peace and security; growing vibrant market economies; addressing pressing health and education challenges; and ensuring effective and sustainable development.  According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2015, Pakistan ranks 144 out of 145 countries worldwide. Large gaps continue to exist between men and women in health, education, politics, and economic participation.  Factors contributing to high inequalities for women include gender-based violence, restricted mobility, lack of education, little awareness of rights, lack of access to and ownership of resources and assets, and limited access to social services.  USAID is working to narrow the gaps between men and women to promote a more prosperous, stable society in Pakistan. 

IMPACT AT A GLANCE

• Provided healthcare, legal services, and counseling to nearly 40,000 female survivors of gender-based violence. 
• Awarded more than 5,200 scholarships for young women to pursue higher education degrees in Pakistan.
• Provided family planning services and reproductive healthcare to six million women and children.
• Improved the livelihoods of more than 9,000 female dairy farmers in Punjab.
• Helped more than 17,000 marginalized women connect to political parties.
• Improved primary-level reading skills of more than 155,000 female students.
• Built or repaired more than 340 schools for female students.