The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed commercial banks to increase women’s share of their workforce from 17 percent to 22 percent by December 2028 under its Banking on Equality Policy 2026.

Banks must prepare action plans with timelines to recruit more women and improve their representation across branches and offices. They have also been asked to facilitate preferred workplace locations, introduce merit-based promotions and establish mentorship and training programmes.

The SBP has further directed banks to appoint more female financing officers to improve access to loans in agriculture, microfinance, housing, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sustainable finance.

Banks must also ensure compliance with workplace harassment laws and provide maternity, miscarriage and iddat leave under applicable regulations. Daycare facilities or allowances have also been included in the directives.

According to SBP data, women accounted for 17 percent of banking employees in 2025, up from 13 percent in 2021. Nearly 50,000 women now work in the banking sector, with around 17,500 joining over the past four years.

Despite the progress, women remain underrepresented in senior management, while mobility restrictions, long working hours and inadequate workplace facilities continue to affect their career progression.

Women’s financial inclusion has also improved, with more than 78 million bank accounts held by women, including over 45 million active accounts. The gender gap in financial inclusion declined from 39 percent in 2021 to 29 percent in 2025.