Home ownership empowers marginalized women in Sindh

In Badin only, 500 houses under the low-cost housing program were built on land donated by 30 local landlords

For visual reference only. Picture source - Asian Development Bank via The International Women's Initiative

In the Badin district of Sindh province, marginalized women are taking a step on the empowerment ladder through a government scheme for provision of low-cost houses to them.

According to a report in Arab News, Shabnam Pitafi is one of many women who has received a brick house under this specific scheme empowering Pakistan’s poorest women. She lives in Tando Bago area of the Badin district. The local government is helping local poor rural women build homes with ownership rights.

The scheme has involved low-cost houses built in the districts of Sukkur, Shikarpur, Kashmore and Jacobabad in 2009. Later, it was extended also to Badin, Ghotki, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Thatta, Tharparkar and Umerkot.

The report details that the government is paying each beneficiary Rs165,000 ($880) with which they will be able to construct a two-room brick home.

While speaking to Arab News, Pitafi said that this was her lifetime achievement and this was very special for her family as it had changed her status in the society.

She said as she owned a house now, she could influence her husband in decision-making and she had also invited her relatives to an Eid party at her own house.

According to officials, the women who are getting the houses are not financially well, which is why they have been selected. These women have lived in poor conditions for generations now.

In Badin only, 500 houses under the low-cost housing program were built on land donated by 30 local landlords.

Before this, the people were living in houses made of mud, said an official while adding that now, they could have a better life.

 

The original report appeared here