women empowerment program of farz foundation

8/2/2019 Women Empowerment Program of Farz Foundation

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SOCIAL CHANG

THROUGH WOMEN

Farz Foundations Practice & Impact

Farz Foundation believes that the social change cannot be demonstrated without empowering the

women through economic independence

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Social Change through empowering the poor women

Farz Foundations Practice and Impact

Rural Women in Pakistan are facing multiple issues around socio-cultural, economic and political

sectors. The prevailing strong roots of gender based discriminatory practices and engraved feudal and

patriarchal systems restrict women to equally participate in socio economic and political activities in the

country. Mostly women are not involved in decision making even about their own life. Lack of political

commitment and strategic policies of government to provide an enabling environment for women

create hindrance for women to participate in main stream development. Women hardly control the

economic resources even they earn themselves particularly in agriculture sector.

If one travel through rural areas; you may obviously observe that rural women are contributing in

agriculture economy from sowing to harvesting and also looking after the livestcok almost more than

60%. But their control on their own earning is limited. The family men, society in general andgovernment do not recognize them as productive workers.

Farz Foundation recognizes with full commitment and passion; the importance of gender equality to

eradicate poverty in sustain manner. FF has institutionalized gender equality in its approach, practices

and objectives. The livelihood model of FF focuses on the family where women got equal share in

earning.

All livelihood support models give equal opportunity to women and men; even under Murabaha the

support is being given only to women so they can improve their position not just condition through

establishing small need based businesses.

Farz Foundation is quite conscious towards gender equality in the membership of board, staff and at

operation level. We have also institutionalized the policy on harassment against women at work place

by establishing a committee to provide enabling work environment in office.

FF deems to empower the marginalized women through initiating capacity building interventions before

providing financial support. Farz believes that the social change cannot be demonstrated without

empowering women through providing her sustainable economic opportunities, education and gender

justice. Farz Foundation is aiming at micro business partnership with the poor women, particularly rural,

instead of disbursing her hard cash on interest basis. Farz not only provides to women the micro trade

facility on profit and loss sharing basis but also business education, health and environment awareness,and Kamettee, ( A traditional saving mechanism facility at local level to build their assets ). Farz has

experienced that the women are more responsible, honest and smart in doing sustainable micro

businesses and building their assets. Farz religiously and culturally customize its methodology to

economically empower the marginalized women. Farz also addresses also ultra poor women through

providing her productive charity along with micro entrepreneurial skills.


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Farz Women Partners/Clients facility Report

Jan 2010 To Fab 2012

Products Total

Clients

Female

Murabaha 166 162

Mudharaba 20 1

Qarza-e-Hasana 69 69

Productive Zakah Through sewing Machine 473 473

Productive Zakah Through Livestock (Hen) 12 12

Productive Zakah Through livestock ( goats) 1 1

Business Training 204 204

Livestock Training 100 02

Embroidery kits facility along with skill development and

market linkages

240 240

Eye Care and Medical camps 409 369

Flood Relief 1632 816

Farz Committee 196 196

Future protection through Children education 32 23

Food Distribution Eid Package 251 251

Support to female disable through Zakah (wheel chair) 02 02

Total 3807 2813

A Story of Change

My name is Asia Bibi, wife of Mohammad Arif. Before becoming Farz Foundations client, I was daily wager of sewing clothes. I had already

borrowed money from a microfinance organization but used it to meet my immediate needs. Then Farz Foundation approached me and trained

me how to productively use the loan. I direly needed to be self-sufficient as my husband is mentally retarded and is also dependent upon me.

I have five children, one son and four daughters and was not even able to pay for their education. The eldest daughter got marriage, while the rest,

depended upon me. The Farz Foundation conducted a community gathering where I was introduced to it. I told them about my needs. Theyoffered the people productive assets to start or to upgrade their micro businesses. I asked for money but they told me they dont deal with cash

and they can give only productive assets etc as par their policy. I thought I had already mismanaged a previous loan and now I was convinced that

asset based help can get me out of my crisis.

They, according to my demand, bought me cloth for bed sheets of worth Rs 15,000. I began to produce bed sheets as I already had a sewing

machine began to sell them in the Sunday Bazaar with the help of my son. In a matter of three weeks I earned and additional Rs 15,000 in three

weeks. Now I could seriously realized the benefit of asset based help. Now I have reinvested the same amount while using the profit to meet

my needs.

Now I am even repaying the previous loan to the other MFI as well as to the Farz Foundation as I am earning enough to meet all these

expenses.Thank you Farz Foundation.

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women empowerment program of farz foundation

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