"I am delighted that Nestle Pakistan has joined hands with BISP to support women beneficiaries by providing them an opportunity to earn better livelihood by selling Nestle products in addition to the income support given by BISP," said Marvi Memon while addressing the launching ceremony of Rural Livelihood Program on Friday.
The event was also attended by Secretary BISP Omar Hamid Khan, Country Director World Bank Patchamuthu Illangovan, and Managing Director Nestle Pakistan Bruno Olierhoek.
"Women are the core of any society, and to empower the women leader of the household in Pakistan means more than life to me," said Memon.
"I feel proud engaging the unheard voices in the mainstream, to uplift the poorest and vulnerable women of the society, in Pakistan. BISP is the face of women empowerment not only in Pakistan, but also at the International forums," she added.
More than 200 BISP women beneficiaries, who are working as Nestle Sales agents in rural areas of Punjab and Sindh were present on the occasion, and were awarded souvenirs by the chief guest.
The core concept of this initiative is to encourage public-private partnership to increase the employment opportunities for the poorest segment of the country to earn better livelihood. Secretary Omar Hamid Khan said this is just start of the beginning and BISP is committed to increase such public-private partnerships under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from the private sector.
It is pertinent to mention here that the signed MoU is in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 1 & 5- No Poverty and Gender Equality. "It has been proven, as evidence by our partnership with Nestle that when women take charge and control of their financial circumstances their decision making plays a key role in graduating their families out of poverty.