United Nations- the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Queen Máxima sent a special message for Ehsaas delivered by H.E. Mr. Wouter Plomp, Ambassador of Netherlands to Pakistan. The Ambassador quoted Queen Máxima as follows: “Savings have multiple benefits for the poorest households. Financial inclusion matters because of its power to improve people’s lives. It is not an end in itself—rather, a means to create jobs, take part in an increasingly digital economy, and protect oneself against sickness, drought or an accident. It also helps empower women and increases income and productivity. This is beneficial for individuals, families, communities and all of Pakistan. [The latest Global Findex data from 2018], shows the overall advances in financial inclusion have left women behind— 35% of men have accounts, compared to just 7% of women. So, the need for this strategy is evident. But more than a strategy, the need for its implementation is paramount. I am delighted to join the launch of the roll out of the Ehsaas Financial Inclusion Strategy.” Currently, Kafaalat beneficiaries are getting their cash grants through the Limited Mandate Accounts (LMA) after biometric verification. The saving wallets will be linked to existing LMA accounts of Kafaalat recipients, providing them the option to save money and even purchase goods through the wallets. Under the initiative, Ehsaas beneficiary women will now be empowered to either draw their stipends or save money into digital wallets. It is noted that Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands for her remarks at the launch of the Ehsaas Financial Inclusion Strategy when she visited Pakistan in November 2019 in her capacity as a United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development and Honorary Patron of the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.
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