KASHF Foundation

Published purpose

This project aims to increase women's participation in informal and formal economic activities by providing them with financial literacy training and access to business development services. In the long-term, this project enables low-income households to raise their incomes, increase their savings, and reduce their vulnerability to future economic shocks, by providing women with skills and knowledge that help them make financial decisions. It also helps these households to better provide for their children and access services such as education and health care. The project provides training for women on savings, budgeting, debt management, and financial transactions. The creation of business incubation labs across the country also provides women with training in business development and management skills. In addition, the project supports the development of public service messages and television series to educate the general population about financial decision-making, as well as theatre programs to promote women's rights and increase acceptance of their economic contribution to the household. Specifically designed, the Basic Financial Literacy program, the Systemized Financial Education program, and the Business Incubation Lab Program help develop and enhance the financial and business acumen of participating women micro-entrepreneurs. Project activities include (1) financial education for women micro-entrepreneurs, including basic financial literacy, systemized financial education, and helping women have access to business loans; (2) creating business incubation labs to help women with market linkages, business innovation and marketing techniques; (3) providing gender empowerment interventions including gender trainings for women, men and boys; and (4) community-level outreach on gender equality awareness through social theatre performances and the production of television dramas with public messages centred on gender equality and women’s empowerment.