KARACHI: President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized on Monday that the country’s banking institutions have taken measures to further increase the financial inclusion of women and also to ensure gender equality in the banking sector.
Apart from providing easy and accessible financial services to women and persons with various disabilities, he stressed that the banking sector should also focus on providing more job opportunities and financing options as well as providing on-the-job training.
The President expressed these views while presiding over a meeting with representatives of various banks held here at the Sindh Governor House to review the progress of initiatives aimed at the financial inclusion of women and differently-abled persons as well as the progress of measures to ensure employment and financial opportunities for them. Senior officials of the State Bank of Pakistan and CEOs of various commercial banks attended the review meeting.
Ending the meaningful participation of women in economic activities as vital to the country’s progress and prosperity, the President said it was heartening to see that women’s share of accounts and jobs in the banking sector had seen a sharp increase in previous years. He added that further steps need to be taken to promote gender equality and the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in the banking sector and other economic activities.
The president said that jobs for people with disabilities could be adapted in the banking sector and the process of opening bank accounts should be further simplified.
Referring to the rapid growth of digital technology worldwide, the President said that the banking industry in Pakistan needs to keep up with the changing circumstances with the latest IT tools.
He expressed concern over the increasing cases of bank fraud and stressed the need to improve bank security mechanisms to effectively protect the interests of bank customers.
The President asked the banks to raise awareness about the various facilities and financial products offered to their customers and also urgently address their banking problems.
SBP officials and heads of commercial banks informed the President that measures such as branchless banking, easing the process of opening accounts, especially for women and persons with disabilities, and equality banking have led to an increased proportion of women with bank accounts. as well as bank jobs. It was further informed that the 2% quota for disability was also ensured in the banking sector.
