About one-quarter of women in Pakistan live on less than $1.25 (US) a day.

In rural areas, women are constrained not just by poverty but also by illiteracy and the cultural practice of home confinement for women. MEDA's Pathways & Pursestrings project gives them the opportunity to build skills and contribute financially to their families.

Equipped with training and support, up to 20,000 women in the embroidery, glass bangle, dairy and seedling businesses will be able to work hard at growing their enterprises. As they earn income, they will be able to better feed their children and send them to school – helping to break the cycle of poverty.

FACT: On average, rural women who sell embroidered fabrics were able to triple their incomes after three years in the Pathways and Pursestrings project.