Gender-inclusive banking policies in Pakistan: State Bank of Pakistan’s regulatory role in women’s economic empowerment

Abstract

Economic empowerment of Women in Pakistan needs more than just entrepreneurial determination. It is dependent on whether the financial system is planned to see, help, and sustain women as full economic actors. During the previous decade, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)has moved from gender-neutral to gender- sensitive regulation. This is primarily grounded on the Banking on Equality (BoE) policy, together with increasing digital systems (Raast), simplifying account opening (Asaan accounts/AMA), and    motivating    banks to provide women-friendly services, more effective reporting of data and improved workforce management. This research integrates the policy formulation, identifies quantifiable improvements and explores the future directions. This comprises broader practice, large-scale credit access, expanded agent networks, effective complaint redressal, and wide-ranging gender data system converting access through the role of State, and changing that role into tangible assets. The nature of study is qualitative in nature so, qualitative research method applied for research. Both primary and secondary sources of data used for this study. The study concludes   that Economic empowerment of women in Pakistan needs a helpful financial structure, not just entrepreneurial drive. gender-sensitive strategies of The State Bank of Pakistan reflect substantial progress.