Cash transfers, such as those under the Benazir Income Support Program, have long been a lifeline for many women in Pakistan. There is no denying their immediate relief, especially for the poorest households. Yet, while cash alleviates short-term hardship, it does little to foster long-term independence, confidence, or economic agency. The time has come to complement these initiatives with structured, skills-based programs that empower women to create, earn, and participate meaningfully in the economy.
Rural women, widows, and those from low-income households possess immense potential. Many are natural artisans, cooks, weavers, or caregivers. With targeted training and resources, they could convert these skills into sustainable micro-enterprises. Tailoring programs to local contexts, agriculture-based crafts in Punjab, handicrafts in Sindh, weaving in Balochistan, or food processing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would allow women to produce goods and services that are both culturally relevant and marketable. Training, mentorship, and access to microcredit or cooperative structures would enable these women to sell their products locally and nationally, generating income while enhancing dignity and self-reliance.
Such an approach has multiple advantages over unconditional cash transfers. First, it fosters independence. Women are no longer passive recipients but active contributors, making decisions, managing money, and solving problems. Second, it strengthens communities. Products made and sold locally stimulate local economies, create networks, and reduce migration pressures. Third, it improves mental well-being. Engagement in meaningful work, social interaction, and creative problem-solving combats the isolation and stress often faced by women in impoverished households.
Cash should not disappear entirely from social policy. Elderly women who are unwell, chronically ill, or otherwise unable to work must continue to receive direct financial support. But for the majority, investments in training, workshops, cooperative development, and market access are a far better use of public funds. Programs must be free, accessible in villages and small towns, and designed to accommodate childcare and household responsibilities, ensuring no one is excluded due to circumstance.
Implementation requires coordinated efforts. Provincial governments, NGOs, vocational institutes, and local chambers of commerce can collaborate to set up training centers in every district. Mobile training units could reach remote areas. Mentorship networks, pairing experienced artisans or entrepreneurs with trainees, could provide guidance in business planning, marketing, and quality standards. Digital platforms can facilitate broader market access, enabling women to sell beyond local markets. Monitoring and evaluation should ensure funds are used efficiently and outcomes are measured by income generation, skill acquisition, and participant satisfaction.
Investing in women’s skills is an investment in national progress. When women produce, sell, and earn, families benefit, local economies thrive, and communities grow stronger. Cash relief addresses survival, but training addresses agency. Pakistan can turn temporary support into permanent empowerment, ensuring women are not only protected but also productive, independent, and fulfilled. This is the future of social policy: moving from passive handouts to active opportunity.
