With KOICA’s Support, UN Women Launches Digital Startup Roundtable to Uplift Young Women in Tech

ISLAMABAD, JULY 17 (DNA): With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UN Women Pakistan launched the first event of its Digital Startup Roundtable Series in Islamabad. The event convened thought leaders, innovators, policy experts, development partners, and aspiring young women entrepreneurs to explore the transformative power of digital skills in driving women’s economic empowerment.

Under the Digitalization for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, the roundtable served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, dialogue, and innovation. The event aligned with the shared vision of UN Women and KOICA to promote gender equality and inclusive development through technology and entrepreneurship. It focused on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young women in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and emphasized the importance of fostering an enabling environment for their participation and leadership in the tech sector.

“In today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, leaving women behind is not an option,” said Jacqui Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan. “We are working towards a future where young women shape the tech landscape, lead innovations, and take their ideas from local to global. But vision alone is not enough — we call on all partners to step up, invest in women, open doors to mentorship, and amplify every voice. Only then can we unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s digital future.”

Echoing this sentiment, the Sodam Baek, Deputy Country Director, KOICA Pakistan emphasized KOICA’s long-term commitment to promoting sustainable development through inclusive innovation. “KOICA is committed to investing in projects that empower women and promote sustainable development. Our collaboration with UN Women is rooted in our belief that technology, when made accessible and inclusive, can be a powerful equalizer. Through this partnership, we aim to equip young women with the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy,” they said.

Adding a national perspective, Sayyed Ahmad Masud, National Incubation Centre Islamabad highlighted the importance of women’s participation in shaping the country’s digital future.

“Digital skills are the cornerstone of progress in today’s world. By empowering women to embrace technology, we are not only enabling individual success but also fostering national growth. Women’s participation in the digital sector is vital to Pakistan’s future,” he stated.

The event featured two key thematic sessions addressing barriers and opportunities for women in the digital economy. The first session focused on policy and infrastructure, bringing together policymakers, digital experts, and development practitioners to discuss the structural challenges that limit women’s access to technology. Participants explored ways to strengthen digital infrastructure, integrate gender-responsive indicators into national e-governance reforms, and expand access in underserved regions.

The second session centered on mentorship and market access, offering a collaborative space to brainstorm strategies for supporting women-led startups. Discussions emphasized the importance of mentorship, business development services, access to finance, and procurement opportunities. Speakers shared practical insights on how to connect women entrepreneurs with both local and international markets and called for ecosystem stakeholders to actively support underrepresented women in tech.

The Digital Startup Roundtable Series is organized as part of the KOICA-funded Digitalization for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, which aims to enhance the participation of women aged 18 to 35 in the technology sector through digital skills training, mentorship, and private sector engagement. Implemented across Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Mardan, Peshawar, and Swabi, the project seeks to bridge the digital divide in Pakistan and ensure women have equal access to opportunities in the country’s evolving digital landscape.