Women-only market launched with digital payment system
PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD :Islamabad inaugurated its first marketplace in G-11 dedicated exclusively to women entrepreneurs, a step aimed at reducing gender gap in business participation, where only 1 percent of women are entrepreneurs compared to 21 percent of men.
The Women Enterprise Market was inaugurated by Farah Naz Akbar, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary, at an event organised by the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, and JazzCash.
Samina Fazil, IWCCI Founder President, described the project as a historic first for the capital, saying Islamabad had never before offered a dedicated commercial space built around women-led businesses. Naima Ansari, former Vice President of the FPCCI, said marketplaces supporting scalable and sustainable growth for women entrepreneurs were long overdue.
The market has been designed as a fully cashless commercial space, a significant move in a country where women’s financial inclusion is below average. Imtiaz Ali, Senior Deputy Chief Manager at the SBP, said the digital payment model would help women entrepreneurs build practical financial skills and improve access to formal banking channels.
JazzCash joined the initiative as technology partner, aligning with the SBP’s 2024-2028 financial inclusion strategy, which seeks to reduce the banking access gender gap from 30 percent to 25 percent.
The initiative comes against a backdrop of limited financing access for women-owned businesses. The 2025 WECON Policy Report found that only 3.2 percent of SME loans in 2022 went to women-led firms, while 91 percent of women remained reluctant to use institutional financing channels. SBP data shows women own only 8 percent of Pakistan’s more than 5 million SMEs.
Farooq Mirza, President of 4th Pillar, said such initiatives could help women-owned businesses grow into established brands and eventually enter export markets. Ms Fazil said the market could create new income opportunities in a country where female labour force participation remains low.
Farah Naz Akbar emphasized that the government is deeply committed to transitioning women-led businesses into the formal economy. Ensuring women have equal access to the legal, financial, and institutional support is necessary for national development.
Lauding the move, she also pledged continued cooperation between IWCCI and the government.
