Islamabad, April 15, 2026 — The European Union has pledged €1 million to support a three-year initiative titled “Beyond Barriers,” aimed at advancing women’s rights and economic empowerment for women with disabilities in Pakistan.
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The project is being implemented by Sightsavers in collaboration with the Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) and Awaz Foundation Pakistan (AwazCDS), with additional co-funding support from Sightsavers.
The initiative was formally launched at a ceremony in Islamabad, bringing together development partners and civil society stakeholders focused on disability inclusion, gender equality, and economic empowerment.
EU officials said the project reflects a shared commitment to inclusive development, noting that Pakistan’s integration of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into its GSP+ framework will strengthen long-term inclusion goals.
Over the next three years, “Beyond Barriers” will work to enhance the capacity of women-led organisations, particularly those supporting women with disabilities, to address gender-based violence and harassment while improving access to decent employment opportunities.
The programme will also collaborate with technical and vocational training institutions to promote disability-inclusive education and training, while engaging employers and labour unions to foster safe and accessible workplaces.
EU representatives emphasized that the project aims to deliver measurable progress in reducing gender-based violence and improving economic participation for women with disabilities.
Sightsavers’ leadership highlighted the initiative as a key step toward breaking structural barriers and enabling civil society to drive meaningful change at policy, institutional, and community levels.
The project will also support reforms linked to workplace harassment laws, SME policy frameworks, and national human rights action plans, while strengthening referral systems for medical, legal, and psychosocial support services.
