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 economic growth.
In Pakistan, the numbers reveal the scope of potential change. Female labour force participation is only 23.5 percent, while Bangladesh reaches 37 percent and Thailand 47 percent. Women contribute roughly 19 percent to Pakistan’s GDP compared to 35 percent in Bangladesh and 41 percent in Thailand. Imagine what could happen if industrial investment matching half or the full BISP annual budget were made. An investment of 350 billion rupees could create 175,000 jobs and generate 35 to 50 billion rupees in extra exports. A larger investment of 750 billion rupees could create 375,000 jobs and yield 75 to 100 billion rupees in additional exports.
Aisha, a university graduate in a small city, benefits from vocational training and joins a local IT outsourcing firm. She earns independently, contributes to exports and inspires other young women in her community to pursue skill-based work. Fatima begins learning sewing and eventually joins a local textile unit. The extra income allows her to buy essentials for her children and invest in small savings for the future. Stories like theirs illustrate how targeted investment and skill development can empower women while complementing welfare programs. Cultural norms, safety concerns and gaps in education and training still limit participation, so programs must include supportive policies to allow women to take full advantage of opportunities.
Pakistan stands at a crossroads where welfare and work can coexist. By continuing programs like BISP while strategically investing in industrial growth and skill-building initiatives, women can move from survival to economic participation. They can develop skills, contribute to exports and strengthen the economy. The potential of women is immense and recognizing it is not only a social responsibility but also an economic opportunity waiting to be realized.
—The writer is an institutional development and governance expert.
