MEDA is excited to have just completed its inception mission for a new four-year CIDA-sponsored project in Pakistan. The project will mirror earlier/ongoing programs with women farmers in Afghanistan and with women embroiderers in Pakistan, assisting poor women in small business development by accessing supplies and selling their products to the market.

The inception team investigated various subsectors, geographic locations and partner organizations and companies. Research focused on subsectors including gems/gemstones, dairy, embroidery, bangles and nursery seedlings. Each will be analyzed for their feasibility in terms of market demand, degree of women's involvement and potential partners.

Now MEDA will work with its partners to identify and address barriers to market access and develop methods to sustain the gains beyond the project's life.

Project activities will be undertaken in all four provinces of the country, with staff operating out of an office in the capital city, Islamabad.

MEDA's goal is to integrate 16,000 women producers into the market and build the capacity of partner institutions. MEDA also hopes to establish linkages for women's networks both within and between Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan.