Small businesses enable rural women to break free from inter-generational cycles of poverty.

Samina Samiullah, who belongs to the village of Thatta Kichlarela, near the town of Pindi Bhattian in Punjab, was the poorest of the poor. Until a year ago, Samiullah received a small amount every quarter from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which came in handy during "leaner periods when there was little to eat".

But these days her mind is occupied with happy thoughts of preparing jahez (dowry) for her two daughters, both soon to be married.

"I bought blankets and some crockery for them," she said with pride, adding: "There is still a lot more to be done." But she is not worried anymore. "It may take me some time, but I know I can manage," says the kiryana store owner, with an air of confidence.

A government-run social protection programme which started 11 years ago, BISP now has over 5.2 million families on its role, who are paid Rs5,000 per quarter. It ensures a minimum "stable living standard" with the aim to help families break free from inter-generational cycles of poverty, explains Ali Raza Bhutta, Secretary BISP. He says this can be in the form of pure cash transfers or cash with a condition.

Unconditional cash transfers provide basic income support and conditional cash transfers are to induce positive behavioural changes, like sending children to schools.

But many question if this can ever pull people out of poverty, especially in these times of rising inflation.

"Obviously, it does not reduce poverty," says Bhutta, and emphasises: "It is meant to provide basic income support and this income support is critical for families living in extreme poverty."

From social protection to economic empowerment

Qazi Azmat Isa, chief executive of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), who has studied social protection programmes very closely, corroborates Bhutta's views.

"BISP stipend is just for consumption support; it by no mean covers the full expenditure on food that a household makes nor can it be used for economic activity. It is a handout for those fallen on hard times."

Till a year back, Samiullah received a small amount every quarter from the Benazir Income Support Programme. - Photo by author

But Samiullah is now among the few of BISP's beneficiaries who have "graduated" and are being provided livelihood opportunities as well. This was made possible when in 2017 Nestle-Pakistan began the Rural Women Sales Programme in partnership with BISP through a public-private partnership.

According to Isa, the graduation programme is not just about the cash itself...