Jehan Ara Manzoor Wattoo showcases social protection success at global forum in Germany

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), Jehan Ara Manzoor Wattoo, led a high-level Pakistani delegation at the international workshop “Lead the Change for Social Protection” held in Germany, where global leaders gathered to shape the future of social welfare systems.

The three-day workshop brought together nearly 70 prominent political leaders, development experts, and social protection professionals from around the world. The event served as a dynamic platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, successful models, and collaborative reform strategies aimed at strengthening inclusive social protection systems.

Representing Pakistan, Jehan Ara Wattoo delivered a compelling message on the opening day, stressing that social protection is not just a government initiative but a moral and societal obligation. “It is our collective duty to shield our citizens from socio-economic vulnerabilities. Social protection is the bedrock of dignity, equity, and resilience,” she said.

Wattoo highlighted Pakistan’s robust national and provincial efforts, with a special emphasis on the success of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) at the federal level—one of South Asia’s most recognized initiatives for poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment.

Detailing Punjab’s provincial programs under PSPA, she outlined major initiatives such as Zewar-e-Taleem, Masawaat, Sila-e-Fun, Nai Zindagi, Humqadam, Bahimmat Buzurg, Aghosh, Bunyad, and Khodmukhtar. She noted that the Aghosh program has supported over 1.1 million women, Zewar-e-Taleem has provided scholarships to 900,000 schoolgirls, and Bahimmat Buzurg has extended financial assistance to more than 80,000 elderly women.

“These programs place women at the center of our social transformation agenda. To date, PSPA has supported more than 2.1 million women, proving our steadfast commitment to building an equitable society,” she asserted.

Wattoo also acknowledged international success stories, praising Cambodia’s IDPoor system and Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) as examples of effective, data-driven models that break poverty cycles and foster inclusive development.

She described the workshop as a timely opportunity to explore collective solutions to global social protection challenges. “This forum enables us to reimagine a future where dignity, inclusion, and resilience form the foundation of every social policy,” she said.

Jehan Ara Wattoo expressed sincere appreciation to GIZ and the event’s organizers for convening the workshop and creating space for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the global social protection landscape.

As the opening day concluded, participants renewed their commitment to advancing effective and inclusive social protection systems through shared learning and global solidarity.