Abstract: Women face a myriad of challenges with respect to their economic and social role across the world. However, the situation is much more exacerbated in the Global South. Pakistan, in particular, has consistently ranked amongst the worst on global gender parity indexes. Engagement and dialogue on these issues between academics and practitioners has been limited giving rise to an academic-practitioner gap on these issues. This conference brings together academics and practitioners to theorize on and understand the reasons behind the gender gap in Pakistan and discuss the success and limitations of possible interventions through a consultative session.

Program:

Setting the Stage: The State of Financial Inclusion in Pakistan and the Road Ahead  

Speaker: Ms. Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor at State Bank of Pakistan  

Panel Discussion – Challenges to Women’s Economic Role and Efficacy of Existing Solutions  

Panelists:  

1.  Dr. Hadia Majid, Associate Professor, Lahore University of Management Sciences

2.  Mr. Mudassir Aqil, Chief Executive Officer, Telenor Microfinance Bank

3.  Dr. Maryam Mustafa, Assistant Professor, Lahore University of Management Sciences

4.  Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and Managing Director, Kashf Foundation

Moderator: Ms. Zainab Saeed, Head of Research, Kashf Foundation