Empowering Inclusive Communication - Awareness and Impact

Dear Subscribers,

Thank you for your patience over the past two months!

Our community has grown to over 5000 subscribers, and I'm thrilled to witness this continued growth as we now move towards the important topics together.

In this edition, we share a spotlight on inclusion in communication, particularly focusing on financial awareness among women. It's a crucial aspect that often goes unnoticed, and through our discussions, we aim to bridge this gap and empower individuals with essential knowledge.

Katalyst Labs Women's Leadership Fellow Program

I am one of the 18 participants in the Katalyst Labs Fellowship program, where conversations about financial, social, and cultural awareness sparked thought-provoking insights.

In our recent session with Sennen Desouza , we talked about how women often lack crucial financial knowledge, and communication surrounding these matters particularly for women is overlooked.

To make financial awareness accessible for all, Investors Lounge is an online learning platform that trains Pakistanis to be successful in investing & personal finance.

A Step Towards Inclusion

Earlier last week, I attended a workshop organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Adam Smith International highlighting the importance of inclusion, women's participation, and suggestions for the upcoming 2024-2025 budget. This collaborative effort showed the power of inclusion and diverse perspectives and how they help drive meaningful change.

Highlighting Changemakers for this Edition

In this edition, we celebrate two remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of inclusive communication and contribute significantly to our community.

1. Saba Bint Abbas , a financial sector consultant engaged with The World Bank ’s Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation (FCI) Global Practice. She has over seven years of research, project design, and management experience in the development sector of Pakistan and the US. Prior to joining the World Bank, she worked with Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN), where she spearheaded PMN’s responsible finance portfolio. She has technical expertise in financial sector development with a focus on financial inclusion, client protection, and financial capabilities and literacy.  
2. Gulalai Khan , a strategic communications, inclusion, and social impact expert, is currently working as a Communications Advisor with Adam Smith International . She is a seasoned policy communication, governance, and gender practitioner. Gulalai holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Communication Governance from the London School of Economics, specializing in Gender and the Third Level of Digital Divide in Pakistan. Currently teaching Internet Governance and Technology Policy at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, she is also the founder of the Pakistan Professional Women Forum and is highly regarded as a trainer for women legislators. She focuses on inclusive planning and budgeting, leadership, communication, digital skills, and security.

Key Recommendations for Women's Digital Financial Inclusion

In an upcoming World Bank paper authored by Saba Bint Abbas and colleagues, we see pivotal recommendations for financial sector authorities. Here are key takeaways, including examples from Pakistan:

1. Gender-Intentional Policies: Implementing tiered customer due diligence (CDD) regulations, as demonstrated by Mexico, can foster gender-intentional policy interventions.
2. Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) Initiatives: Taking inspiration from Indonesia's women digital ambassadors model, Pakistan can opt for effective community-based DFL initiatives.
3. Designing for Equality: Pakistan's Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) exemplifies gender-inclusive design, simplifying financial access for women and marginalized groups.

You can read the full version and detailed recommendations on the World Bank's website here.

Inclusion and Pakistan's Economy

Inclusion isn't just a buzzword; but rather a catalyst for economic progress. By empowering women with financial awareness and ensuring their voices are heard in critical discussions, we help uplift communities and contribute to the growth and resilience of Pakistan's economy, creating a way for a more prosperous and equitable Pakistan.

This is it. I can't wait to share more valuable insights and stories in the editions to come.

See you in the next one.

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