On 20th Dec 2023, a roundtable Conference was held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad under the Gender Justice and Security HUB, a project of London School of Economics. The event, spearheaded by the Women for Peace and Participation (WPP) organization and PAIMAN Trust, aimed to probe into the socio-economic impact of Afghan women refugees and women in host communities in Pakistan. The central focus was on assessing existing support systems and exploring opportunities for their enhancement.
The conference pursued several objectives, including identifying economic initiatives by delving into the economic landscape to pinpoint opportunities and address challenges faced by both
Afghan and Pakistani women. Additionally, efforts were made to map existing support structures and channels for refugee women and women in general, analyzing their effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. Lastly, the conference sought policy commitments from policymakers to support endeavors directed at the socio-economic empowerment of Afghan refugee women in Pakistan. The ultimate goal was to secure sustained benefits for individuals on both sides of the border, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and commitment from key stakeholders.
The forum served as a convergence point for a diverse array of participants, including policy makers, government officials, religio-political leaders, businesswomen, media representatives, women activists, and other stakeholders from civil society groups. By bringing together this varied expertise, the conference had aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding the socio-economic empowerment of Afghan women in Pakistan. The discussions also sought to lay the groundwork for actionable policies and initiatives that could positively impact the lives of women on both sides of the border.
