Samsung Pakistan launches initiative to empower women in rural areas

Samsung is reviving and celebrating Pakistani female rural artisans and their craftsmanship: statement

Samsung Pakistan, in collaboration with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and Punjab Skill Development fund launched on Tuesday the second edition of ‘Aangan’, an initiative to create opportunities and improve the financial outlook of the women living rural areas.

“Through Aangan, Samsung is reviving and celebrating Pakistani female rural artisans and their craftsmanship and becoming the enabler for financial inclusivity,” said an official statement.

The MoU signing ceremony for this year's edition took place at the Samsung head office in Lahore.

Samsung Pakistan’s Managing Director Roy Chang, Chief Executive Officer Punjab Skills Development Fund Jawad Khan, and Chief Executive Officer Kaarvan Crafts Foundation Danish Jabbar Khan were present at the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Roy said: "At Samsung, our Global Corporate Citizenship vision is 'Enabling People'. By providing education for future generations, we empower future innovators to achieve their full potential and become the next generations of leaders to pioneer positive social change."

He added, “This year the programme has been expanded to 140 micro-entrepreneurs with the inclusion of graduates from the Skills for Market Linkages (SFML) initiative of PSDF; providing them with market linkages through the aanganpk.com marketplace and transforming skilled craftswomen into business women.”

Aangan started last year in partnership with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation with 80 micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) garnering massive success and helping these MEs earn an additional 12% on average and hence contributing towards their improved financial standing.

"The PSDF is keenly engaged in creating market access and linkages for its beneficiaries through the use of technology, especially for rural women, who find it difficult to identify, access and serve local and international markets," said CEO Khan. "Through the Aangan platform, PSDF is confident that it will successfully overcome these challenges and contribute towards higher income generation opportunities for its beneficiaries."

Danish Khan, CEO Kaarvan Crafts Foundation said the idea of Aangan was to unlock the potential of female artisans living in far flung areas of Pakistan with Digital Market Linkages where they could sell directly to the customers without any intermediary.