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<p>DFID already includes elements in our capacity building programmes which benefit
religious minorities in Pakistan. Our new Aawaz II Accountability, Inclusion and Reducing
Modern Slavery Programme builds on the Aawaz Voice and accountability programme. It
will continue to work with communities to promote rights of children, women, youth
and religious minorities, protect them from exploitation, and prevent discrimination.</p><p>
</p><p>Through our Skills Development Programme, we fund the Punjab Skills Development
Fund to provide technical and vocational skills training to the poor and vulnerable,
including those from minority communities. An exclusive skills scheme has recently
been launched by this Fund for religious minorities. Under this scheme, 5,000 people
from religious minorities (40% women) who are unemployed will be trained in a variety
of trades.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, through UK Aid Connect, DFID is funding a consortium
led by the Institute of Development Studies to address challenges in building tolerance
and freedom of religion and belief. In November 2018, Lord Ahmad and Lord Bates launched
a £12 million UK Aid Connect programme to promote and defend freedom of religion or
belief. This will make poverty reduction programmes more inclusive by highlighting
and redressing religious inequalities, with a focus on highly volatile contexts.</p>
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