Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Standard Chartered Bank announced today the launch of it’s Goal
programme in Islamabad, in collaboration with non-profit business partner Right To Play. Together, both
entities will implement sports and life skills training to empower and equip young girls with the confidence,
knowledge and skills they need to be integral economic leaders in their families, communities and societies.
Goal was launched in Karachi in 2016 and since it’s launch, the Bank has impacted more than 11,000
adolescent girls’ lives in Pakistan.
Goal is Standard Chartered’s leading education programme that provides financial literacy, life skills and
employability training to young girls across its footprint.
Several studies have shown that investment in girls positively affects GDP growth rates. A World Bank study in
1999 demonstrates that increasing the secondary education of girls by 1 per cent results in an annual income
increase of 0.3 per cent per capita.
Educating girls and giving them the tools to shape their own future has an incredible multiplier effect on
economic growth. It leads to increased prosperity not just for individuals but for their communities and their
societies. It provides returns for decades.
Commenting on the launch Mr. Shazad Dada, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan said: “I am
proud to announce the expansion of Goal to another city in Pakistan. There is massive hidden potential waiting
to be unlocked for girls across the country. By expanding the reach of our Goal programme to Islamabad, we
will be able to cater to even more girls and young women. We hope to provide them with the right tools and
knowledge to make informed choices as they move into adulthood, and to empower them to be more active
economic participants in their communities”.
What makes Goal unique is it’s play rather than classroom-based methodology to get the curriculum messages
across. It is also, leveraging sports as a dynamic and healthy platform. The physical activities generate fun and
help girls remember what they have learnt while giving them a break from the stresses of home life.
“Play is an essential part of learning and should be a regular part of our schools. It keeps the children
connected with the school in a positive way and sports and play has the ability to teach essential life skills such
as team work, confidence, critical thinking and decision making, which are critical for children’s holistic
development. Goal gives us this incredible platform to take our play based methodology to schools and
educate and empower so many adolescent girls.” The Country Director of Right To Play, Iqbal Jatoi shared.
Goal’s training curriculum is based on five modules: ‘Be Money Savvy’ focuses on financial education (how to
save, invest and open a bank account); ‘Be Yourself’ imparts effective communication skills; ‘Be Healthy’ builds
knowledge on health and hygiene; ‘Be Empowered’ teaches girls how to be confident, authentic and stand up
for their rights; and ‘Be Independent’ focuses on providing vocational training to girls to enable them to be
financially empowered.
