Tech Desk 
Dec 27, 2024
While this era is witnessing a boom in IT and the digital realm, Pakistan's IT sector and the digital sphere are having an “alarmingly low” representation of women.
A report issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday stated this, highlighting that women in the country continued to contribute little to the economy, particularly in technology and digital spaces.
Globally, around 327 million fewer women have access to smartphones and internet than men. This was highlighted in a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development titled "Bridging the Digital Gender Divide", highlighting a considerable digital divide.
Surprisingly, this coincides with a reported rise in technology and internet usage in Pakistan.
Even after a massive surge in internet users, increasing by 22 million (35.9%) between 2021 and 2022, the overall exposure to the internet remained below 40%, according to a United Nations Development Programme blog.
The annual PTA report issued last week noted that Pakistan ranked among the lowest in gender parity and digital inclusion.
The biggest issues women in Pakistan face, according to the report, include “limited digital literacy, restricted access to financial services (such as bank accounts), absence of national identity (CNIC) for nearly 25% of adult women, high costs of devices and broadband, scarcity of local content, safety concerns, and patriarchal controls”.
