Empower HER Digital Tech Summit to support Pakistani women in technology

Islamabad:Strong call for action to bridge the digital divide, thoughtful and interactive discussions and Digital Career Fair featured the 'EmpowerHER Digital Tech Summit' organised by UN Women Pakistan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The conference brought together thought leaders, innovators, and young women to explore the transformative power of digital skills for women's economic empowerment.

Funded under KOICA’s Digital Transformation for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, the summit spotlighted strategies to close the gender gap in the digital economy. Through engaging panel discussions, exhibitions showcasing women-led tech innovations, and competitions celebrating digital creativity, the event emphasised the pivotal role of women in shaping Pakistan’s digital future. “This Summit serves as a catalyst for change,” said Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative, Designate, UN Women Pakistan, in his closing remarks. “Through collective action, we aim to ensure that young women are not just participants in the digital economy but leaders and innovators. When women succeed in the digital sector, it benefits families, communities, and society as a whole.”

Echoing this sentiment, Je Ho Yeon, Country Director, KOICA Pakistan, remarked: “Empowering women in technology is not only about inclusion but also about driving innovation and economic growth. We are proud to partner with UN Women in equipping young women with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.”

Shaza Fatima Khwaja, Minister of State for IT, added her voice to the conversation, and said, “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.”

A key highlight of the Summit was the ‘Digital Divas’ Panel Discussion, where leading female tech pioneers Nadia Patel Gangjee, Founder & CEO, Femprow, Faiza Yousuf, Co-founder & CPO, CaterpillHERS, and Sadaffe Abid, Founder & CEO, CIRCLE Women shared their personal journeys, success strategies, and insights on how women can thrive in digital spaces. Topics ranged from leveraging e-commerce to overcoming gender-based challenges in the tech sector. The interactive Q&A session provided participants with a chance to engage directly with the panellists. The event brought together over 100 young women, university students, tech enthusiasts, private sector leaders, and government representatives to inspire, educate, and empower women to pursue careers in the technology sector.

The Student Digitalisation Initiative Showcase featured student teams from six universities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Students presented innovative digitalisation projects judged by an independent jury nominated by UN Women. The top three winners were awarded shields, and all participants received certificates of participation.

The Summit also included a Digital Career Fair, where leading tech companies and startups showcased career and internship opportunities for women in the digital sector. Participants engaged with private sector representatives and explored interactive exhibits set up by local and international tech companies.

The event concluded with a Call to Action session, urging all stakeholders to actively support gender equality in the digital sector. The UN Women Country Representative emphasised, “To bridge the gender gap in digital spaces, we must create pathways for young women to become not only users of technology but also its designers and leaders. Through this initiative, we hope to support a generation of women who are confident, capable, and connected in the digital economy.”

The EmpowerHER Digital Tech Summit was organised as part of the KOICA-funded D4WEE (Digitalisation for Women’s Economic Empowerment) project, which aims to enhance the participation of women aged 18-35 in the technology sector through capacity building, mentorship, and engagement with private sector stakeholders. The project is being implemented across Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Mardan, Peshawar, and Swabi and seeks to bridge the digital divide in Pakistan.

The Summit also highlighted its alignment with the ongoing ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign, drawing attention to the role of economic empowerment in preventing gender-based violence.