Only 18% percent of adult women have active bank account: SBP.

KARACHI -- State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a statement on Saturday that it is all set to launch consultation on banking on equality policy for reducing the gender gap in financial inclusion. Women's access to financial and economic opportunities is essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, women in Pakistan are disproportionately under-served by the financial system. Only 18% percent of adult women in Pakistan have an active bank account compared with 51% men. In order to address the gender disparities, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has adopted a medium-term national target of 20 million active women bank accounts by 2023 under National Financial Inclusion Strategy. The target will be achieved through the launch of a policy to reduce the gender gap in financial inclusion, titled Banking on Equality, which aims to promote women financial inclusion in Pakistan.

'Banking on Equality: Reducing the Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion', is a flagship policy initiative of State Bank of Pakistan for promoting women financial inclusion. The policy will introduce a gender lens within the financial sector through specific measures to bring a shift towards gender friendly business practices. To initiate a national dialogue on women financial inclusion, SBP has organized a webinar titled 'Consultative Launch of Banking on Equality policy: Reducing the Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion' on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 1730 PKT (Pakistan Standard Time). The webinar, that will be shown live on State Bank's Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/StateBankPakistan] aims to promote awareness of the significance of women financial inclusion and hold discussions among distinguished...