Technology helps women break barriers

On this International Women's Day, The Express Tribune joined hands with Jubilee Insurance and Daraz.pk to bring an engaging discourse on how technology is helping break boundaries for women across Pakistan.

The discussion was based on the United Nations Organisation's theme for International Women's Day 2023 "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality". The topic highlighted how technology is crucial to advancing rights but a growing digital gender gap is impacting everything from women's job opportunities to safety online.

The webinar was hosted by Sidra Iqbal and panelists included First Lady Samina Arif Alvi, SEED Ventures Director and CEO Shaista Ayesha, Daraz's Chief Huma Resources Officer Nida Yousuf, and Tazeen Shahid, the chief human resources officer at Jubilee Life. According to the Global Gender Gap report by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan ranks 153 out of 156 countries in terms of gender equality with significant gender gap in economic participation. Similarly, women's labour force participation in Pakistan is 24% compared to 82% for men. Bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women's needs and promote gender equality. A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement.

Highlighting the importance of raising awareness among the women labor workforce of Pakistan, the first lady said "Unfortunately, we do not have a good infrastructure and that is why women in remote areas remain uninformed."

To make the work force more inclusive, the marginalised communities need to be backed. The impediments like social discrimination, lack of access and control over resources, limited educational opportunities; little entrepreneurial orientation which surround the remote women entrepreneurs and limit their growth opportunities to be successful entrepreneurs in Pakistan should be acknowledged and countered.

The difference between equality and equity was also highlighted. It is important to understand that equity leads to equality. While gender equality means to provide all individuals equal opportunities, gender equity propounds the idea that the needs and circumstances of women are different than that of men hence, to ensure inclusivity, such differences should be acknowledged.

In conclusion, the panelists highlighted the issues women face in Pakistan that is hindering the progress of the nation and its economy. No nation can prosper if its women are not empowered and take equal part in its path to progress.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2023.