UN Women and Government of Japan Celebrate Success of Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project
Emphasizing Women-Focused Humanitarian Services Amid Natural
Disasters
By Saqib Saleem Qureshi
Islamabad: January 24, 2024 – UN Women, in collaboration with the Government of Japan,
hosted a showcase event in Karachi to highlight the success of Women’s Socio-Economic
Resilience Project. The initiative aimed to provide essential relief and protection services to
women and girls in flood-affected areas, fostering their resilience and adaptability to
emergencies and disasters.
This USD 1.85 million project was made possible through the generous support of the
Government of Japan, that provided humanitarian assistance to regions affected by floods
in 2022. The aid was directed towards women-focused humanitarian services in the nine
districts of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan.
While addressing the audience, Muhammad Asghar Memon, Secretary Planning and
Development Department, of the Government of Sindh, remarked, "The support from the
Government of Japan came at a critical time for the women and girls in the flood-affected
areas. This contribution significantly helped provide essential relief and protection services,
enabling them to assume leadership roles within their communities. Japan's generosity
serves as a testament to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two
nations."
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hattori Masaru, Consul General Japan in Karachi expressed,
“The Government of Japan remains committed to ensuring women’s human rights and
fighting against all forms of gender-based violence. In partnership with UNWOMEN, we
have promoted safety and protection, and nurtured the leadership and resilience of the
flood-affected women and girls. Japan and UNWOMEN have a long-standing partnership
globally, with various collaborations for upholding gender equality, women’s
empowerment, and disability inclusion. I would like to take this opportunity to express my
sincere thanks to UNWOMEN’s tireless effort and dedication to strengthening women’s
leadership and inclusive development in this country.”
Sharmeela Rassool, UN Women Representative in Pakistan, expressed deep gratitude: “We
thank the Government of Japan for their generous financial support to the flood-affected
women and girls located in the most vulnerable districts of Pakistan in 2022. This
partnership exemplifies the commitment to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of
women and girls in the face of adversity. This support is pivotal in our on-ground efforts
towards gender equality and women’s empowerment within the humanitarian-peace-
development nexus.”
The funds provided by the Japanese Government supports delivery of essential
humanitarian services. These services include psychosocial support, raising awareness of
gender-based violence, assistance for survivors of violence, help with application for civic
documentation, and entrepreneurship development. The relief goods provided to women
include mother kits, baby kits, and inclusion kits.