Who Are We?

The Brenda and Said Yasin (Pakistan-Ireland) Women’s Educational Foundation was set up in Dublin, Ireland, in October 2007. Formed as a charity and managed by a Board of Trustees, its purpose is to help to fund an education programme for Pakistani women who would not otherwise have the oppurtunity to undertake post-graduate studies in Ireland.

Why a Women's Educational Foundation?

Of those without basic educational opportunities in Pakistan, 70 per cent are women. As elsewhere, the incidence of poverty amongst women is significantly linked with low levels of education and labour force participation. However, despite some increases in female enrolment, the gender gap in literacy rates is continuing to widen, and women make up less than 20% of the workforce.

The Yasin Foundation envisages that these scholarships will encourage and promote further education amongst women in Pakistan, in the belief that education is the most effective way of directly empowering women.

Our Initial Goal

Fund-raising for the Yasin Foundation began in October 2007 (see 'Events')and the most recent major event was held in Dublin in April 2009 (See 'Tina Sani in Ireland').

The first Yasin Foundation scholarship was awarded in May 2009 following a two-stage application process. For the next Scholarship, Expressions of Interest are invited from Nov 1 to Dec 1, 2010 and Formal Applications will then be invited, by Jan 31, 2011. (See ‘Applications’ for more details.) In the first year, one two-year scholarship worth €10,000 per annum was awarded; and the Trustees hope to be able to increase this amount in the future.