Islamabad (TDI): A major initiative aimed at advancing women’s rights and disability inclusion has been launched in Pakistan, with international backing and local partnerships to drive long-term social change.
The project, titled Beyond Barriers, is being implemented by Sightsavers Ireland with funding support of €1 million from the European Union. The three-year program seeks to promote economic empowerment and protect the rights of women with disabilities across the country.
The launch ceremony was held in Islamabad, bringing together development partners, civil society organizations and stakeholders committed to inclusive development.
The initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) and Awaz Foundation Pakistan (AwazCDS).
According to organizers, the project focuses on strengthening the organizational capacity of women’s groups and building coalitions that can advocate effectively for disability inclusion.
By fostering partnerships and leadership among women with disabilities, the program aims to address systemic barriers and promote sustainable change.
The European Union and @Sightsavers are proud to launch Beyond Barriers, a 3-year project on gender, disability inclusion and decent work opportunities.
With a €1 million 🇪🇺 commitment and Sightsavers’ 5% co-funding, it will promote safe, inclusive workplaces across Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/s3c8pTdq6w
— EUPakistan (@EUPakistan) April 16, 2026
Speaking at the event, European Union representatives highlighted that inclusion remains a cornerstone of their development cooperation.
They expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to eliminating gender-based violence and harassment while improving economic opportunities for women with disabilities.
Officials also noted that Pakistan’s integration of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into its GSP+ framework in the coming year aligns with the project’s objectives. This alignment is expected to strengthen policy-level commitment toward inclusive development and equal rights.
Read More: No One is Successful Unless Everyone is Liberated: A Call for Women’s Welfare in the Global South
By the end of the project’s three-year cycle, stakeholders aim to achieve tangible improvements in the lives of women with disabilities, including greater access to economic resources, enhanced participation in decision-making, and reduced exposure to discrimination and violence.
Sightsavers, an international organization working on disability rights and inclusion, has long been involved in promoting equal opportunities in areas such as education, employment and healthcare.
The Beyond Barriers initiative builds on these efforts by placing women with disabilities at the center of development planning.
