Islamabad has taken a major step toward women’s economic empowerment with the launch of its first women-only marketplace in Sector G-11, offering female entrepreneurs a dedicated space to run and grow their businesses.
Named the Women Enterprise Market, the initiative was inaugurated earlier this month by Member of the National Assembly Farah Naz Akbar in collaboration with the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), the Capital Development Authority, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, and digital payments platform JazzCash.
The marketplace is being described as a first-of-its-kind project in the federal capital, created exclusively for women-led businesses at a time when female participation in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial sector remains limited. According to figures shared during the launch ceremony, women make up only 1 percent of entrepreneurs in Pakistan compared to 21 percent of men.
One of the market’s defining features is its fully cashless system. Vendors and customers use digital payment methods aimed at improving women’s access to formal banking and financial services. Officials from the State Bank of Pakistan said the initiative aligns with the central bank’s Financial Inclusion Strategy 2024–2028, which seeks to reduce the gender gap in banking access.
Women entrepreneurs and community members have welcomed the initiative, saying it provides a safer and more supportive environment for female vendors and shoppers. Discussions on social media platforms and local forums have also highlighted growing demand for women-focused commercial and recreational spaces in Islamabad.
