Roshaneh Zafar

Pioneering Pakistani social entrepreneur who empowered marginalized women through microfinance and financial inclusion.

Roshaneh Zafar is a Pakistani economist and founder of the Kashf Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has transformed the lives of over 1.2 million women in Pakistan. Established in 1996, Kashf provides microloans, business training, and health services to women in rural and urban areas, enabling them to start businesses and break cycles of poverty. Zafar’s approach combines Islamic finance principles with modern microfinance practices, ensuring cultural and religious compatibility. Her work has reduced gender disparities in economic participation and inspired global models for inclusive finance. A recipient of the UN Women’s Champion of Change Award, Zafar advocates for policies that integrate women into formal economies. Despite facing societal resistance and security challenges in Pakistan, she has expanded Kashf’s reach to conflict zones like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her memoir, 《The Kashf Story》, details her journey and the systemic barriers to women’s empowerment. Zafar’s legacy includes influencing Pakistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and mentoring a generation of social entrepreneurs across South Asia.