Every year, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s achievements and reflect on the barriers they still face. In Pakistan, women continue to play a central role in shaping homes, families, and communities. Yet, when it comes to property ownership and financial empowerment, many still encounter limitations rooted in long-standing social perceptions.
One such perception lies within a phrase commonly heard across households: “aurat ghar banane wali hoti hai.” Traditionally, this phrase has been used to describe a woman’s role in managing and nurturing a home. While it acknowledges her contribution to family life, it has also, in many ways, confined her role to the domestic sphere.
But what if the meaning of “ghar banane wali” could evolve?
Despite women’s immense contributions to family and society, property ownership among women in Pakistan remains significantly low. Studies suggest that only around 3 percent of women in Pakistan own a home, compared with a much larger percentage of men. This gap highlights a broader challenge around financial inclusion and asset ownership.
Another estimate indicates that only about 2.5 percent of homes in Pakistan are solely owned by women, while a small percentage are jointly owned. These numbers reveal that although women help build and sustain homes every day, very few are able to claim ownership of the spaces they help create.
This International Women’s Day, House Building Finance Company Limited (HBFC) is encouraging a shift in perspective that recognizes women not only as caretakers of homes but also as individuals who can build and own them.
The campaign aims to spark an important conversation. Women deserve not only opportunities but also the right to believe in their ability to shape their own futures. For many women, owning a home represents far more than a financial milestone. It symbolizes independence, security, and the confidence to dream bigger.
Across the world, increasing women’s access to property ownership has been closely linked to stronger families and more resilient communities. When women have greater financial agency, they invest not only in themselves but also in the wellbeing of those around them. In this sense, empowering women to own homes creates a ripple effect that benefits society as a whole.
This idea aligns closely with the spirit of #GiveToGain, the belief that when opportunities are extended to others, the rewards are shared by everyone. By enabling women to step forward with confidence and ambition, communities ultimately grow stronger and more inclusive.
For decades, HBFC has played a pivotal role in enabling homeownership across Pakistan. As a development finance institution dedicated to housing, it has helped countless individuals and families realize the dream of owning a home. Today, that mission is expanding to place greater focus on encouraging women to become homeowners in their own right.
As part of this broader commitment, initiatives like Ghar for Her highlight the importance of creating pathways that support women in achieving their housing aspirations. Such initiatives recognize that empowering women through access to housing finance is not simply about property. It is about creating a foundation for stability, dignity, and long-term security.
This Women’s Day campaign challenges society to rethink the meaning of “ghar banane wali.” The phrase no longer needs to be limited to someone who maintains a household. It can also represent a woman who actively builds her own future.
When women are encouraged to believe in their potential, they move beyond traditional expectations and redefine what is possible. They become decision-makers, investors, and builders of their own destinies.
In doing so, they remind us of a powerful truth. A home is more than a physical space. It is a symbol of opportunity, hope, and the promise of tomorrow.
And when women are empowered to build that future themselves, everyone stands to gain.
