Bridging the digital gender divide

“People say I am a genius. I might be one, but I am not the only one. There are many other Pakistani girls and boys like me. All those gems need is a little bit of polishing. And I will do it. That’s my aim.” This was said by Arfa Karim (late), the first female computer scientist in Pakistan and the youngest Microsoft-certified professional.

Globally, the divide between genders in terms of economic participation and opportunity is significant – so much so that it is estimated it will take 151 years to plug this hiatus. Unfortunately, the indigenous situation is squarely worse off than the global scene.

According to the newly published Global Gender Gap Report 2024 of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in the Global Gender Index rankings, Pakistan has plummeted from 112th place in 2006 to 145th (out of 146 countries) in 2024. Additionally, the same report states that in terms of access to economic participation and opportunity, Pakistan ranks at the bottom, alongside Iran, Sudan, India, Morocco, etc, with less than 40 per cent gender parity.

The opportunity cost of neglecting this potential is significant for developing countries like Pakistan, which face economic breakdown frequently. The UNDP estimates that $12 trillion could be added to the global GDP by 2025 by advancing women’s equality.

Financial inclusion depicts a similarly grim scene. Globally, 65 per cent of women have an account with a financial institution, compared with 72 per cent of men, signifying the continued lag they face due to socioeconomic, cultural, and technological barriers to financial services. Moreover, in the context of Pakistan, Karandaaz Financial Inclusion Survey posits that only 13 per cent of adult females have access to financial institutions, and out of this number, only two-thirds are active users. It indicates a virtual all-out dependency on their husbands or male family members for accessing financial services.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, gender inequality has squarely transcended the digital landscape. It is estimated that globally around 52 per cent of women are offline compared to 44 per cent of men. Furthermore, it is also imperative to note that in the developing world, women are 7.0 per cent and 18 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone and a smartphone, respectively. In the context of Pakistan, the country ranks second to last (133 out of 134) on SDG 5: gender equality in internet usage, with half of women unable to access the internet and only 15 per cent utilizing it.

Another study suggests that, in Pakistan, mobile/smartphones are prevalent in almost every household, followed by internet usage and ownership of computers/laptops/tablets. The demand for mobile phones in Pakistan is burgeoning, as evidenced by the World Bank's indicator on mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people), which increased from 59 in 2012 to 82 in 2022.

However, the pace of change is not equal across genders highlighting persistent disparities in digitalization. GSMA’s Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022, despite mobile phones being the primary means of internet access, states that women in Pakistan are estimated to be 33 per cent less likely than men to own a mobile phone and 38 per cent less likely to use mobile internet.

Contrary to general perception, mobile phones are not merely a source of entertainment; studies indicate that women who own mobile phones have a 36.2 per cent higher probability of participating in the labour force than females who do not own mobile phones. This can be leveraged to contribute a significant proportion to GDP and thereby incite economic flourishing in the already-muddled country.

PTA strategy: Given the context, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently unbridled its ‘Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy’ to counter the aforementioned sweltering disparities and “increase gender participation in [the] digital transformation of the country”. This is definitely an action worth praising and a beacon of light in the bleak situation of the gender divide. Still, some undertones need our attention. Without a cogent strategy, the desired outcomes will not materialize, even assuming (read: fancying) the intention to execute it exists.

Though the three-year plan/gender inclusion strategy for digital inclusion of women in Pakistan is to be devised, the document(strategy) currently available does not cater to the kaleidoscopic cultural fabric of Pakistan. Even within a city, locality, or even a single household, the dynamics of the gender digital divide vary. The factors contributing to this spectrum include (non-exhaustively): educational and income inequalities, religious and cultural barriers, gender inequality, and the urban-rural divide.

The superficial and vertical approach can also be discerned from the action plan, which resembles a checklist of things to do in a time-bound manner. In a country where the Greek conception of women as less developed or second-class citizens still prevails, men repeatedly dictate how women should think, what they should do, how they should dress, and even how they should live. Women are slaughtered for alleged infatuations or, in some instances, for not heating food on time for their men.

Without acknowledging this indigenous context in pith and substance, how can an overarching strategy for bridging the gender gap be fruitful?

Second, considering the revamping of the strategy to be more equitable, indigenous-centric, and less siloed with a top-down approach document: the corollary problem that has long been prevalent in Pakistan is the lack of 'enforcement’. Speaking of which, Mosharraf Zaidi’s recent commentary suffices to expound: “The ‘enforcement’ of the law isn’t in the drafting of what SEEMS to be the missing element in public policy. ‘Enforcement’ would require a wholesale evacuation of the policy domain (read: Pakistani elite) out of the lazy and instinctive isomorphic mimicry that the entire state is addicted to, and transforming it into focusing on the thing that actually matters.”

Simply drafting a policy isn't enough. True progress requires overcoming the current bureaucratic hurdles and ensuring proper enforcement. This highlights the need for a more practical approach.

Way forward: The digital gap problem should be viewed not only as a socio-political issue but also as a significant economic one. If we, as a country, aim to overcome the financial challenges we periodically face, it is crucial for all of us, especially the elite of the country, to unite and restructure the status quo. This involves achieving affordability, enhancing digital skills and knowledge, addressing safety and security concerns, and improving access across the diverse habitats of Pakistan.

The lack of infrastructure outside metropolises is a major hurdle. Even in Peshawar, mobile data is often unusable in many localities due to a lack of connectivity, forcing residents to rely on broadband. The situation in more remote areas with no robust network system is likely even worse. Without active government participation in reducing taxes on telcos and fostering efficient mutualism between the public and private sectors to achieve a higher return on investment, women will remain marginalized and susceptible to repression.

Moreover, to move away from this checklist approach and adopt a more nuanced strategy, the PTA should consider implementing localized digital literacy campaigns. These programmes should be tailored to the unique cultural and socio-economic contexts of different regions, involving local leaders and influencers to ensure cultural sensitivity and acceptance. Additionally, establishing mentorship and support networks that connect women in tech with aspiring girls and women in underserved areas can provide ongoing support and role models, emphasizing continuous engagement rather than one-time interventions.

The government's ‘Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy’ is a positive step, but intentions alone are not enough. We need concrete action plans tailored to diverse regions, robust public-private partnerships, and a relentless focus on implementation. Let's not squander the potential of a generation of Arfa Karims waiting to be empowered. The time to bridge the digital divide is now – the divide excruciating economic, social and political empowerment of women in Pakistan.

Furqan Ali is a researcher and works in the financial sector.

Abdullah Ahmed is a policy enthusiast and a researcher.