Women’s employment in the private health sector (Sitara Baji)

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The project is based on the concept of social franchising for family planning products and services, which is already being successfully implemented (and highly scalable) in Pakistan. It gives trained midwives the opportunity to open their own health station in medically underserved areas (urban slums, rural areas) and to operate it commercially. As part of the project, stations consisting of 2-3 rooms are to be built/rehabilitated and equipped with medical equipment and furniture. The regular supply of contraceptives and other goods for sale is provided via the distribution network of private providers, who can offer the entrepreneurs wholesale prices. Operating the health stations offers the women profitable employment in their local area, with profits which, according to previous experience, are significantly higher than the salaries they received as part of the state health programs. In addition, the supply of family planning services to the local population is improved. As part of the project, the existing business model is to be further developed from the perspective of employment promotion and expanded across the area.