Sightsavers warns that women and girls in Pakistan may take over a lifetime—123 years—to achieve global gender equality. The latest World Economic Forum data highlights disparities in education and job opportunities for women, especially those with disabilities.

Economic empowerment is crucial for progress; without investments in women’s access to decent work and financial independence, change will be slow. Munazza Gillani, Sightsavers’ director for Pakistan and the Middle East, emphasises that we shouldn’t accept such a long wait for equality. Disability-inclusive investments in women’s livelihoods can bring about transformative change immediately.

Fizza Hussain, Pakistan’s first visually impaired chef and co-founder of Khaas Foodz Kitchen, exemplifies this. She has created an accessible culinary training model that has impacted over 1000 trainees and gained recognition through platforms like Shark Tank Pakistan. Sightsavers is urging investment in programs that support women and girls with disabilities to accelerate the journey toward gender equality within their lifetimes.