By 2025, CIRCLE, a dynamic non-profit organization focused on women and technology, hopes to have changed the lives of one million low-income Pakistani women. It was founded in 2018. CIRCLE is a unique organization that focuses on digital literacy, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurial skills. It is notable for its bold objectives and dedication to gender diversity. Over 60% of the organization’s board members and over 90% of its teams are female. The organization was formed by women.
CIRCLE has been actively engaged in offering online and in-person training sessions to women and girls from low-income households since its launch in 2018. Innovative initiatives offered by the organization include Elevate, Tech Karo, She Loves Tech (SLT), Digital Acceleration Program (DAP), and Digital Literacy Program (DLP).
Launched in 2018 with UN Women’s assistance during the pandemic, the Digital Literacy Program has already made a big difference, having trained 5042 low-income women in more than 60 locations around the nation. This outcome is a perfect example of CIRCLE’s commitment to empowering women via technology and bridging the digital gap.
With the non-profit Grass-Root group for Human Development (GODH), a Lahore-based civil society group, CIRCLE has forged a revolutionary partnership. GODH has dedicated its efforts from its founding in 1998 to addressing challenges that impact impoverished communities, with a special focus on the protection and rights of children.
There are almost 1.5 million street children in Pakistan, with a significant fraction residing in metropolitan areas, according to a recent survey conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). An estimated 100,000 street children in Lahore are vulnerable to exploitation, child labor, underage marriage, and drug abuse. These underprivileged kids typically don’t have access to basic necessities like adequate food, healthcare, and education.
Their combined effort, which will span eight months and involve both traditional and digital schooling, will directly benefit 160 children from four villages. Moreover, health camps, workshops, leisure pursuits, and special events will benefit all 4605 community members, including 2058 children. In addition to providing parent and community training, recreational and sports activities, theater and storytelling sessions, improved health and hygiene, improved livelihoods, increased access to education, digital literacy, and increased community empowerment through partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations are all goals of the project.
Completing legal paperwork will also be made simpler by the project.
An important player and authority on this program, SadafeAbid, highlights the need of digital literacy for improving livelihood. Mansoor Ahmad, DG Literacy, emphasized the value of education; Ahmad Majeed, Child Law Expert, addressed child marriage and child labor; Nazir Ahmad Ghazi, addressed issues facing slum communities; Muhammad, Superintendent of the Health Department in Lahore, highlighted government efforts; Nadeem Ashraf from the National Commission for Human Rights, addressed human rights violations; Sana Khawaja, Community Manager, shed light on community issues and livelihoods.
With this partnership, CIRCLE and GODH are forming a strong coalition that is pursuing real change. Both organizations hope that their partnership will positively impact livelihoods, digital literacy, health, education, hygiene, and overall community well-being.
