Deadline: 15-Feb-23
UN Women Pakistan (Lahore) to seek services of Civil Society organisations to work directly with Women Workers and Women Owned Businesses to mobilize them, form them into functioning groups, and connecting them with a range of services and resources (access to finance, markets, skills development, and enterprise development etc).
UN Women considers violence against women and girls (VAWG) as an economic issue, as it has cost implications on individuals, households, businesses, and society. The close linkage between women economic empowerment and ending violence against women is therefore of strategic importance in all UN Women programming as the agency has a zero-tolerance policy on violence against women and girls. Reducing GBV risk through advocacy, policy influence, network and alliance building, legislative interventions, and community engagement, particularly with men and boys are the key strategies that UN Women employs in all its projects. UN Women has learnt through experience that addressing violence has a positive impact on women both socially and economically. Women’s economic independence and increased decision-making ability reduces the risk of violence as their financial status improves and they are empowered to directly address violence inflicted on them, particularly domestic violence.
UN Women Pakistan is implementing a project aiming to empower women and girls economically and socially to ensure that they are able to thrive in private and public spaces. By providing women workers in Pakistan with equal opportunities, access to services and benefits and a work environment free from harassment, the project will fuel inclusive and sustainable economic growth, create a more prosperous society, and spur progress on the SDGs.
Funding Information
- The budget range for this proposal should be USD 60,000-80,000.
- The project duration is 16 months:
- Start Date: 1st March 2023
- End Date: 30th June 2024.
Outcome/Output/Activities
- Outcome 1: An enabling environment is created for improved agency and access to services and skills for women workers (WWs) and women-owned businesses (WOBs)
- Output 1.1: WWs and WOBs have enhanced capacity and marketable skills to operate micro enterprises.
- Activities
- Capacity enhancement of WHBWs, WWDs, transgender persons and minority women through vocational and technical training courses
- Specialized trainings on digital literacy for women
- Entrepreneurship and business development for women and excluded groups in collaboration with telcos and private sector
- Output 1.2: WWs and WOBs have improved access to financial institutions and vocational training centres
- Activities
- Support registration of women HBWs with provincial social security institutes and other departments for improved social protection through provision of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) and organizing them into groups
- Linkages with public and private sector training institutes (TEVTA, SMEDA, MFIs like Akhuwat, First Women’s Bank, Online technology platforms etc.) to improve women HBWs’ access to skills and microfinance
- Partnership with existing chambers of commerce and supporting formation of new rural women chambers of commerce.
- Output 1.3: More platforms exist for increased collective action of WWs and WOBs
- Activities
- Identification and group formation of women to strengthen their agency, bargaining skills, leadership, entrepreneurship, and business development
- Outcome 2: WWs and WOBs operate in safer and harassment-free working spaces
- Output 2.1: Improved knowledge and understanding of EVAWG to reduce violence risk
- Activities
- EVAWG training for all women beneficiaries (cross cutting), partners, stakeholders and men/boys
- Awareness/sensitization sessions on human/legal rights & on referral mechanisms
- Advocacy with men and boys, developing male champions
Competencies
- At least 05 years of experience in designing and implementation of similar activities.
- Reputed nationally registered organization with representative office in Pakistan and outreach in mentioned areas of intervention.
- Proven track record of working in the area of women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
- Previous work experience with UN agencies or other international development agencies is an advantage.
- Ability to communicate in local language.
- Valid MoU /NOC from EAD/Relevant Provincial Authorities to implement projects in the province.
- A verifiable reputation of integrity and competence.
For more information, visit UN Women.