PESHAWAR: Minister of State and Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Chairperson Marvi Memon Friday said that investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards poverty alleviation and financial inclusiveness and BISP is trying its best to empower its beneficiaries through its various initiatives.
She said besides managing poverty through unconditional cash transfers, BISP has embarked on poverty exit strategies as well making its beneficiaries self reliant.
This was stated by Minister of State and BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon at Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between BISP and Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (WCCI) KP on skill development training for BISP beneficiaries here today.
MoU between BISP and Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry WCCI KP was signed by Director General KP BISP Irfan Yusufzai and President WCCI KP Shumaima Arbab.
According to the signed MoU, 500 BISP beneficiaries would be trained in dress making, jewelry designing, fashion designing, leather goods, home accessories and woven wool products.
On the occasion, WCCI Chairperson Itrat Bilour acknowledged the efforts of BISP for the betterment of poorest of the poor and assured that this cooperation would strengthen further. Chairperson BISP Marvi Memon said that these trainings would open new avenues of opportunities for BISP beneficiaries making them financially and economically empowered.
The Chairperson thanked the WCCI KP for their cooperation and urged other organizations to come forward and play their part in social development.
Later, Chairperson BISP presented BISP Progress Report 2014-2016 to Governor KP Iqbal Zafar Jhagra at a plenary conference in Governor House Peshawar.
The conference was attended by Members Provincial Assembly, Councilor General of Iran, Secretaries of various departments, Vice Chancellors of universities, representatives of NGOs, civil society, journalists and BISP beneficiaries.
Highlighting the milestones achieved by BISP, Ms. Memon stated that 1157,483 households of KP receive BISP stipend on quarterly basis and 252,180 children have been enrolled in Charsadda, Kohat, Maneshera, Malakand, Noshera, Bannu and Haripur under Waseela-e-Taleem (WeT) initiative.
She said pilot phase of new poverty survey to update National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) includes Haripur, Lakki Marwat, Charsadda, and Mohmmad Agency, adding the updated NSER would be an asset for planning and development in the country and the whole of FATA would be covered in the new poverty survey.
The chairperson BISP, while lauding the courage and struggle of BISP beneficiaries said that with the help of Allah Almighty and by believing themselves, they can achieve everything in life. She added that BISP is a platform that they can use to break the shackles of poverty and overcome the gender bias of our society.
The Governor KP while appreciating the role of present government, in making BISP a success story, said that BISP was brain child of Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. He further said that the stipend goes to women making them more confident and empowered. The governor added that BISP’s efforts to uplift FATA are admirable. He also appreciated Chairperson BISP for initiating new poverty survey for NSER update.
During the conference, Governor KP distributed appreciation certificates among BISP beneficiaries from all across KP for their bravery and struggle against poverty. On the occasion, these beneficiaries stated that besides helping them financially, BISP has been pivotal in empowering them socially and economically.
