Karachi based social startup help women owned homebased businesses achieve better outcomes. The newly established startup aims at utilizing the available skillset and talents and channeling them into financial products. Conceived primarily to counter the gender disparity on the principle of women- has partnered with home chefs and together they created and served 10,000 orders in their first quarter of operations.
Rehan Ali, Cofounder Dasterast explaining the core idea behind the initiative said, “we believe in sustaining life while improving livelihoods. The belief translates into enabling homebased women earn through their skills and talents and become economic contributors.”
Pakistan’s performance on the gender parity index is alarming and grassroot level initiatives although small in numbers have a big impact in improving the situation. Enabling women to achieve financial gains help achieve profound change in their lives and society at large.
“Dasterast’s impact on empowering women and supporting their economic independence is truly commendable. As a part of NIC Karachi’s 11th Cohort, we are amazed at the work they’re doing to uplift home-based women entrepreneurs through their e-commerce solution and the provision of fresh, healthy, and hygienic meals. Their initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to empower innovative startups and foster positive change within communities. We are proud to have Dasterast as a part of our incubation program and look forward to witnessing their continued success in creating a more inclusive and empowered society,” said Sana Shah, Program Manager of NIC Karachi.
“Dasterast is not limited to food as it offers an e-commerce solution for homebased women to set up online stores and initiate their businesses. The inclusion of women, comprising 49% of country’s population, is imperative for growth.”, said Rehan.
The generated economic value and finances transcends into the social sphere and thereby empower and protect women against maltreatment. The financial progress also contributes to their physical and mental health.
Dasterast as a facilitator has developed a team of home chefs which provide fresh, healthy and hygienic meals to consumers. This in part help maintain the health of the consumer and in a greater part aids financial independence of home-based women and inspires them on the path of empowerment. The initiative also serves as a means to cut the gender disparity in earnings and thus facilitates the country in its pursuit of global SDGs.
