This project will support the startup and running costs of microenterprises owned by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan, who are often marginalised from workplaces due to environmental and attitudinal barriers. We aim to make PWDs Khudmukhtar (self-reliant), enabling them to earn a livelihood and support themselves and their families, especially in rural settings where accessibility is an even bigger challenge.
Pakistan is home to an estimated 27-32 million PWDs, many of whom are excluded from the workforce. Despite their skills and willingness to earn, they are often denied opportunities because workplaces are not built for their needs. In rural areas, limited infrastructure and resources make access to livelihoods even more difficult. This project seeks to empower PWDs to become financially self-reliant and build dignified, sustainable livelihoods.
This project empowers PWDs across Pakistan, with a focus on rural areas where accessibility is a greater challenge. We will cover the setup cost for microenterprises, providing retrofitted rickshaws and loaders which can be used for transport, delivery, or food carts. Women with disabilities are prioritized through our EmpowerHer initiative with a stitching setup, including a stitching machine, solar panel, and phone, to run home-based businesses and gain financial independence.
Since launching the Rickshaw Project in 2012, we have worked to promote the economic and social inclusion of PWDs in urban and rural areas. As more PWDs run successful microenterprises, their visibility challenges stereotypes and shifts public perception, paving the way for inclusive communities and long-term change in how disability and economic potential are seen in Pakistan.
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