ISLAMABAD: Strive Women, a Mastercard Strive program led by CARE and supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, hosted key stakeholders, development partners, policymakers, and women entrepreneurs at the annual “Strive Women Impact Showcase and Exhibition” in Islamabad, to unlock financial resilience and drive economic growth for women-led micro and small enterprises across Pakistan.
The event began with opening remarks by Adil Sheraz, Country Director, CARE Pakistan, who emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to unlock women’s economic and financial potential. He said, “Through Strive Women, we are working with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to create an enabling ecosystem where women-led businesses can grow, contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s economy, and drive more inclusive and sustainable growth for all. In my opinion, advancing women’s economic participation requires strong collaboration between the private sector, development partners, policymakers, and communities, and for this purpose, it important to come together to address these barriers to finance, skills, and market access to unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs.”
Arslan Khan, Country Manager for Mastercard, recognizing the work and continued support of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan shared that “Mastercard believes that when women thrive economically, entire communities and economies grow stronger. Through Strive Women and the Center for Inclusive Growth, we are proud to support these remarkable entrepreneurs who are proving every day that with the right tools, and opportunities, women-led businesses can be a powerful engine for Pakistan’s economic future. ”
The day included an exhibition featuring 30 women entrepreneurs engaged in Strive Women, who have built peer networks, mentorship opportunities, and strengthened their digital and business skills. They showcased a diverse range of products and services, reflecting growing confidence, innovation, resilience, and business progress. This was followed by a networking session over hi-tea, where attendees connected directly with the entrepreneurs and learned more about their businesses.
Strive Women in Pakistan equips women-led businesses with access to tailored financial services and targeted capacity-building to enable their resilience and growth, directly supporting more than 69,000 women entrepreneurs to date. Through partnerships with dedicated financial service providers, such as U Microfinance Bank (U Bank) and Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited, Strive Women has disbursed over $73M in financing to women entrepreneurs.
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE PACKAGE box, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In 2025, CARE worked in 121 countries, reaching 58.7 million people through 1,467 projects. To learn more, visit www.care.org.
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