Government officials and development partners have stressed the urgent need to expand rural women’s access to resources, skills, and livestock markets across Balochistan. The call was made during a high-level policy workshop aimed at converting academic research into actionable, gender-responsive policies for women’s economic empowerment.
Organized to showcase findings from a study conducted by the University of Balochistan with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the workshop focused on enhancing women’s involvement in livestock-based livelihoods, particularly in value addition, marketing, and financial decision-making within households.
Key Insights from Leadership
- James Okoth (FAO Officer-in-Charge): Emphasized that understanding the specific roles, opportunities, and constraints rural women face is critical for designing targeted economic interventions. He noted that the study provides concrete evidence to guide practical, inclusive pathways for livestock sector development.
- Sher Shah Ghilzai (Secretary, Women Development Department, Balochistan): Highlighted that empowering rural women with direct access to decision-making, skills, and markets is vital for overall household economic growth. He commended the FAO and University of Balochistan partnership and called for sustained collaboration to implement these research-backed policies.
Project Context
The research initiative was funded by the European Union under the “Post Floods Resilient Recovery and Strengthening of the Livestock Sector in Balochistan” project. It comprehensively evaluated the structural challenges and economic potential of women working within the province’s livestock ecosystem.
