SBP introduces Banking on Equality Policy 2026 for women

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced the Banking on Equality Policy 2026 to improve women’s financial inclusion with a target of reducing the gender gap in financial access to 25 percent by 2028, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.

According to the State Bank, the gender gap in financial inclusion declined from 39 percent in 2021 to 29 percent in 2025.

The proportion of women employed in banks has also increased to 17 percent, while banks have provided jobs to more than 17,500 women under the policy.

The new policy aims to make digital banking accounts and payment services more accessible to women.

Banks have also been directed to introduce daycare facilities for working mothers.

The SBP has stated that increasing loans for women owned businesses and expanding initiatives to improve women’s financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.

To monitor implementation, banks will be required to submit data on a quarterly basis, enabling the State Bank to assess progress towards its financial inclusion targets.