This snapshot taken on 01/01/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

Find out more about web archiving at The National Archives

See all dates available for this archived website

Leading the British government in their fight against world poverty

	Case Studies
	About DFID
	Millennium Dev't Goals
	Country Profiles
	News
	Publications
	Procurement
	Consultations
	Research
	Funding Schemes
	Recruitment

Case Studies photograph

Case Studies
- - -

Empowering Pakistani women through sustainable livelihoods: DFID and the Kashf Foundation

Pakistani woman with boy

Image courtesy of Kashf Foundation

Andaleeb Ejaz suffered financial hardships, insecurity and uncertainty for her family's future.

A micro-finance loan of 12,000 rupees (£115) from the External link Kashf Foundation enabled her to open up a beauty parlour, buy her own equipment and materials and hire her own premises.

After initially encountering some opposition from elder peers and relatives, the business is now thriving, attracting customers from all over the locality and income has been further boosted through Andaleeb's offering of a six-month beauty training course for which she earns 4,000 rupees (£39) per course.

Today, she speaks confidently of a brighter future for both her and her family.

Micro-finance working miracles for women

Kashf Foundation clients: a large group of Pakistani women

Image courtesy of Kashf Foundation

The word 'Kashf' means 'miracle' in Urdu, and the Kashf Foundation addresses the need to improve the economic and social status of women in the rural/peri-urban areas around Lahore in Punjab Province.

Although the Government of Pakistan (GoP), has emphasised the importance of micro-finance and empowerment in the fight against poverty on many occasions, 0pportunities for women to access income-generating activities are usually limited in Pakistan.

So, the Kashf Foundation's goal is to alleviate poverty and increase women's empowerment through investments in sustainable livelihoods, by delivering micro-finance services to poor women.

Key facts

After a successful 2-year initial pilot phase, DFID has provided support of £3.2 million over five years to the project.
The Kashf Foundation supports the economic empowerment of women through micro-finance.
Set up in 1996, the Foundation has helped over 70,000 women in Pakistan support their families and increase their incomes, and has 50,000 clients, 250 employees and 30 branches across Pakistan
The Foundation models itself on the highly successful Grameen Bank's lending approach