MEDA in Pakistan  
Since 2004, MEDA has been successfully supporting the economic empowerment of women in three rural areas of Pakistan by helping them access higher value markets in the embroidered garment subsector. It was initiated through the award-winning project entitled, “ From Behind the Veil”. In this venture, MEDA entered into partnership with Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI) to provide assistance to over 9,000 homebound embroiders. This success has been based on strong local partnerships and the development of culturally appropriate women-to-women networks that bridge the gap between sequestered women and the outside world. The next step is to scale up this approach within this and other sectors in Pakistan. 

Pathways and Pursestrings; The Current Project in Pakistan 
Women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan requires a concerted and deliberate effort that goes beyond establishing micro enterprises or providing employment opportunities. Access to business and skills training, market exposure, technology transfer, availability of credit, awareness of rights, knowledge of pricing, negotiation skills, are a few of the challenges faced by women. Once these barriers have been overcome, women will not only earn increased incomes but they will also be able to assume a more active role in the decision-making for their families and their communities. The project, Pathways and Pursestrings aims to facilitate this process and integrate 16,000 – 20,000 women in four provinces into four viable value chains (Dairy, Bangle, Seedling and embellished fabric industry). The project will execute over 48 months and will carry a total value of close to CDN $8 million read more.

History of MEDA
Originated in 1953 with the collaboration of eight North American business people with a $5,000 contribution each in the making and strengthening of Paraguayan dairy.
Since then, the spirit of the culture of business advisory and technical input, commitment, approach and solutions have been extended to many parts of the globe to alleviate poverty.
The success of Sarona (Paraguayan Dairy), led to projects helping people of any faith in Tanzania, Somalia, Zaire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Colombia, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, India, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bolivia. read more.