The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Yoshida Thursday inaugurated a skills development project aimed at improving their skills and income-generating capacity for local and Afghan refugee women in Quetta city of Balochistan.

UNHCR Pakistan had signed its first-ever agreement with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, a private sector partner based in the United Arab Emirates, to conduct a project to support and empower marginalized Afghan refugee and local women through skill enhancement in Balochistan, the UNHCR said in a statement.

The project would benefit 100 Afghan refugee and Pakistani women. These women will not only be trained but also be given monthly stipends to support their family while they work, the statement said.

Around 100 skilled and semi-skilled women will receive the advanced training in carpets weaving in two centers at Ghoasabad and Hazara Town of the city.

Of total 70 percent are Afghan refugees and while 30 percent are Pakistani women, the UNHCR noted.

The UNHCR Representative Yoshida visited the skill training center at Ghoasabad in Quetta and formally inaugurated the project where the female artisans will be trained and guided to produce Emirati-inspired designs.

Yoshida also interacted with the Afghan and Pakistani women and exchanged views on how this project will make a difference in their lives.

The Representative assured that UNHCR will continue to implement projects that empower women.

The outcomes and impact of such initiatives are always beneficial. The project will enable these women to stand on their own feet as well as support their families in a dignified manner, she said.

According to the UNHCR, currently, around 1,420,673 registered Afghan refugees are living in Pakistan.