Self-Employment of Women Project Empowers Female Health Professionals in Pakistan

Successful completion of the Self-Employment of Women (SEW) in the Private Health Sector Project was celebrated at a ceremony in Islamabad on December 4, 2025.

The initiative—funded by KfW on behalf of the Government of Germany and implemented in collaboration with GOPA Worldwide Consultants, DKT Pakistan, and Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM) Pakistan—was carried out under the guidance of the Health Departments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Implemented from January 2022 to December 2025, the SEW project empowered unemployed Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and Community Midwives (CMWs) to establish private health clinics, expanding access to quality Reproductive Health (RH) and Family Planning (FP) services.

The project supported the construction and equipping of clinics, delivered comprehensive capacity-building for LHVs and CMWs, and ensured the availability of high-quality contraceptives at subsidized rates.

Key achievements:

• 400 women-led clinics established (264 in Punjab, 136 in KP, including 30 container clinics)
• 400 female clinic operators and 400 Danak Sehalis and Sitara Bajis trained in RH/FP and primary healthcare services, BCC, and supported the formation of local health committees to strengthen clinic sustainability.
• 282 health officials (including 87 women) trained in program management and clinical skills.
• Partnerships with Health Services Academy Islamabad, Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

The closing event brought together senior representatives of the German development institutions, as well as representatives from the German Embassy, KfW, government health departments, UN agencies, NGOs, and development partners, all recognizing the project’s role in advancing women’s economic empowerment and sustainable healthcare access.

We join ceremony participants in expressing appreciation to all partners, especially the German Government and KfW, for their continued commitment to improving FP/RH access, establishing women-led clinics across 20 districts of Punjab and 16 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and contributing to Pakistan’s broader development priorities in maternal and child health, women’s economic empowerment, and social protection.

View the LinkedIn article here.