Objectives and Mission of the Ehsaas Program: Building a Compassionate and Inclusive Pakistan

The Ehsaas Program, launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2019, is a landmark initiative designed to tackle poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. It is the largest social safety net in the country’s history and aims to create a comprehensive framework for providing financial support, human capital development, and economic opportunities to vulnerable populations. This program is not merely a welfare initiative but a broad-based socio-economic development agenda, driven by the vision of creating a welfare state. The overarching mission of the Ehsaas Program is to ensure that no one is left behind in the nation’s journey toward prosperity.

In this article, we will explore the key objectives and mission of the Ehsaas Program and how they align with its broader vision of reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion.

1. Eradicating Poverty and Reducing Inequality

One of the primary objectives of the Ehsaas Program is to reduce poverty and minimize income inequality in Pakistan. As a country where a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, addressing poverty is crucial for achieving sustainable development and social stability. Ehsaas is designed to provide immediate financial assistance to the most vulnerable segments of society while also working on long-term poverty alleviation strategies.

The program provides direct cash transfers through initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the Ehsaas Kafalat Program. These initiatives target low-income households, especially women, to ensure that they have access to the financial resources necessary for meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

Additionally, by providing access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities, Ehsaas aims to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The program places a particular emphasis on regions and populations that have been historically neglected, such as rural areas, women, and people with disabilities.

2. Promoting Financial Inclusion

A key mission of the Ehsaas Program is to promote financial inclusion across the country. Financial exclusion, especially among the poor, women, and rural populations, has been a persistent challenge in Pakistan. Ehsaas seeks to address this issue by integrating digital technology and banking services into its social safety mechanisms.

The Ehsaas Kafalat Program offers cash stipends directly to women through a system of digital payments, using biometric verification and mobile banking to ensure transparency and efficiency. This helps not only in reducing leakages and corruption but also in empowering women financially by bringing them into the formal banking system.

Moreover, the Ehsaas Program supports the creation of Ehsaas Savings Wallets, which provide beneficiaries with digital access to their savings. By facilitating micro-loans and interest-free loans through the Ehsaas Interest-Free Loan Program, the initiative also encourages entrepreneurship among the poor, enabling them to start small businesses and gradually become financially independent.

3. Human Capital Development

The development of human capital—through education, health, and nutrition—lies at the heart of the Ehsaas Program’s mission. Poverty is not just about a lack of financial resources; it is also about a lack of opportunities for education, healthcare, and skill development. Ehsaas recognizes this and has developed several initiatives that focus on improving human capital as a means of lifting individuals and families out of poverty.

a. Ehsaas Nashonuma: Combating Malnutrition

One of the biggest challenges facing Pakistan’s poor is malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women. Malnutrition has long-term consequences, leading to stunting, cognitive impairments, and lower productivity in adulthood. The Ehsaas Nashonuma Program addresses this issue by providing specialized nutrition packages and health services to pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under two years of age. Beneficiaries receive cash transfers conditional on regular health check-ups and vaccinations, ensuring that they receive the necessary care for healthy growth and development.

b. Ehsaas Education Stipends and Scholarships

Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. The Ehsaas Program offers educational stipends to low-income families to ensure that their children remain in school. Additionally, the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides financial support to deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds, covering their tuition fees and living expenses.

These programs aim to reduce dropout rates and make education accessible to all, regardless of financial status. By investing in the education of young people, the Ehsaas Program seeks to create a generation of skilled individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy and social fabric.

4. Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups

Empowerment of women and marginalized groups is a key mission of the Ehsaas Program. Historically, women, disabled individuals, and ethnic minorities have been among the most disadvantaged groups in Pakistan. Ehsaas aims to change that by ensuring that these groups receive targeted support, both in terms of financial assistance and opportunities for self-improvement.

a. Focus on Women’s Empowerment

Through the Ehsaas Kafalat Program, women from the poorest households receive direct cash transfers to help them manage household expenses and improve their financial autonomy. This initiative not only addresses immediate financial needs but also promotes gender equality by providing women with greater control over resources. The program also integrates biometric verification to ensure transparency and that funds are reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Additionally, the Ehsaas Interest-Free Loan Program helps women start or expand their small businesses, fostering female entrepreneurship and self-reliance. The long-term goal is to shift women from being beneficiaries of social protection programs to becoming contributors to the economy.

b. Supporting People with Disabilities

The Ehsaas Program has also introduced targeted interventions for people with disabilities, who are often excluded from economic and social opportunities. The Ehsaas Disabled Persons Program provides financial support and vocational training to help disabled individuals gain employment or start small businesses. This not only provides financial security but also promotes their inclusion into mainstream society.

5. Creating Sustainable Livelihoods

A key objective of the Ehsaas Program is to move beyond short-term relief and create sustainable livelihoods for the poor. This is done through several initiatives that provide opportunities for skill development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

The Ehsaas Amdan Program (Income Program) is one such initiative that focuses on providing assets to the poor, such as livestock, sewing machines, and agricultural tools, to help them generate income. The goal is to make individuals self-reliant by enabling them to create their own sources of income.

Furthermore, the Ehsaas Vocational Training Program offers skill development courses in various trades, ensuring that individuals have the necessary skills to secure better-paying jobs. By linking beneficiaries with local industries, the program helps facilitate job placements, thereby reducing unemployment and underemployment among the poor.

6. Ensuring Social Protection and Welfare

Social protection is one of the fundamental missions of the Ehsaas Program. The program aims to create a comprehensive social protection system that safeguards the poor and vulnerable from economic shocks, natural disasters, and other crises. The Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a prime example of how the initiative provides rapid financial relief to those affected by unforeseen circumstances.

Moreover, the Ehsaas Program focuses on expanding the coverage of social insurance programs to include not only formal workers but also those in the informal economy, such as day laborers and domestic workers. By providing a safety net for the most vulnerable, Ehsaas aims to reduce the risk of individuals falling deeper into poverty due to unexpected events.

7. Transparency, Accountability, and Data-Driven Approach

The Ehsaas Program’s mission is not only to alleviate poverty but to do so in a transparent and accountable manner. The program employs a data-driven approach, using modern technology to ensure that resources reach the most deserving individuals.

The Ehsaas One-Window Center and Ehsaas 8171 SMS Service are designed to streamline the registration process, making it easier for people to check their eligibility and receive assistance. By relying on biometric verification and the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER), the government ensures that the program is free from corruption and misuse.

Conclusion

The objectives and mission of the Ehsaas Program reflect a comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation, human capital development, and social inclusion. By addressing the multiple dimensions of poverty—economic, social, and structural—the program is poised to make a lasting impact on Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations. Its emphasis on financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, education, and sustainable livelihoods positions the Ehsaas Program as a transformative force in building a more equitable and compassionate society.