DNA
Islamabad — Experts at the Devcom-Pakistan conference titled “Digital Futures’2025: Bridging the Gender Divide for Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan” have called for the urgent need to digitally empower women to address the gender divide and strengthen women’s empowerment in Pakistan. The conference, which coincided with National Women’s Day (February 12) and International Women’s Day (March 8), brought together influential policymakers, activists, and experts to discuss the role of digital technology in advancing gender equality.
The conference highlighted critical recommendations aimed at empowering women through digital tools and resources. Experts emphasized the importance of widespread digital literacy programs tailored for women, particularly in rural areas. These programs should focus on basic technology skills, online safety, and digital entrepreneurship, equipping women with the tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Access to affordable and reliable internet and digital devices is essential for women to participate in the digital economy. Stakeholders recommended that the government and private sector collaborate to improve connectivity in underserved areas, ensuring that women can engage in online education, e-commerce, and other digital platforms.
Experts called for the development of policies that promote gender-inclusive digital spaces. This includes addressing online harassment and discrimination and creating safe environments for women to express themselves and participate in the digital economy.Women entrepreneurs need targeted support to thrive in the digital economy. The conference advocated for incubators, mentorship programs, and access to funding specifically designed for women-led tech startups and digital businesses. They said the potential of social media to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment was also discussed. Experts recommended utilizing these platforms for advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community-building, as well as to challenge harmful stereotypes and elevate women’s voices in tech-related fields.
The experts and award winners included Sadaf Asim Abbasi, Riffat Ara Baig, SDPI Gender Expert Ms. Sadia Satti, Chairman Read Pakistan Farrukh Dall, CEO CPAIR & Centre for Climate Diplomacy Amna Munawar Malik, Dr. Farzana Bari, Gender and Parliamentary development Expert, Dr. Ghazala Khan, UNDP Consultant Safe Digital Environment
Dr. Humaira Javed Khan, Dr Sadaf Kashif, Capital Smart City Executive Director Najmul Hassan, e-media and Businesses expert Sadia Hayat Khan, HR Expert Maham Shahid, Dr. Joharia Azhar, Aisha Khan and Zunaira Omar. National Women Empowerment Award were conferred upon Atiqa Masood and Najmul Hassan for Women Empowerment at Workplace and skills development respectively.
The conference was graced by notable dignitaries, including Syeda Amna Batool, Member of National Assembly (MNA) and focal person Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, who delivered powerful keynote speeches emphasizing the government’s commitment to bridging the gender divide in digital spaces. As the Focal Person of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Batool also discussed ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering youth, particularly young women, through digital training and skill development. She said The theme of this conference resonates deeply with the core values of the Prime Minister Youth Programme – a program that is committed to empowering the youth of Pakistan, especially young women, through access to education, digital platforms, and leadership opportunities. In Pakistan, we are fortunate to have a young, dynamic population, where over 60% of the population is under the age of 30. Among them, a large percentage are young women, and they are the leaders of tomorrow.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said We live in an era where technology, particularly digital platforms, has become the great equalizer. But for women in Pakistan, the gender divide in the digital space is a significant challenge that we must overcome. While digital platforms offer immense potential, women continue to face barriers such as limited access to technology, lack of digital literacy, cultural norms, and gender-based online violence. These barriers not only hinder women’s access to opportunities but also hold back our nation’s potential.
Munir Ahmed, Executive Director of Devcom-Pakistan and Founder of the National Women at Work Festival, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, civil society, and the private sector to create a digital ecosystem where women are equal participants.
During the event, experts and panelists shared best practices and success stories of women using technology to overcome social barriers and drive economic independence. The discussion underscored the urgent need to make digital tools accessible and inclusive, ensuring women have the skills and opportunities to harness the power of the digital future.
The conference concluded with a call to action for the government, tech companies, and NGOs to intensify efforts in creating a digitally inclusive society, where women have equal opportunities to thrive in all spheres of life, from education and entrepreneurship to employment and leadership.
