The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, has decided to provide grant assistance of USD 53,419 (equivalent to PKR 14.8 million) to the Moawin Foundation for the project to establish a women's vocational training institute in District Chakwal, Punjab.

The grant contract was signed between His Excellency Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and a representative of Moawin Foundation at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. The project, titled “the Project for the Construction of Women’s Vocational Training Institute in Village Dulmial, District Chakwal,” aims to strengthen the capacity of regional skill development to empower vulnerable women and secure their economic independence.

Moawin Foundation has long been engaged in addressing the needs of underserved communities across Pakistan. Its vocational programs have steadily expanded their reach and impact over the years, reflecting the trust the Foundation has earned among local communities.

In rural areas in Pakistan, many families face economic and environmental challenges, while employment opportunities remain limited. Access to vocational training and opportunities to earn a stable income are particularly important for women, who often have fewer opportunities to acquire practical skills and achieve greater economic independence.

Through this grant, Moawin Foundation will construct a dedicated training facility on land generously donated by the local community of Village Dulmial. This new Institute will offer structured courses in dressmaking, stitching, and fashion design to women from surrounding areas who require stable sources of alternative income throughout the year.

The project is expected to provide high-quality vocational training to 240 women annually, equipping them with practical skills that can help them earn their own income and build more secure livelihoods.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed his hope that the new Vocational Training Institute would serve the women and families of the community for many years to come. He also highlighted the contribution of the local community, which donated land for the project, and expressed his delight that Japan, in alignment with its unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, could help turn the community’s long-standing aspiration for a permanent vocational training facility into reality.

As a longstanding friend of Pakistan, the Government of Japan will continue to work with local NGOs through the GGP to enhance grassroots human security in Pakistan. It is hoped that this project will become another symbol of the strong and longstanding friendship between Japan and Pakistan.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)