Govt empowers females to thrive in digital world

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said that Pakistan's government, through initiatives like the laptop scheme, has empowered thousands of female students with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.

"Pakistan is not just bridging the gender gap in technology; we are redefining the future of women in the digital economy. Our young women have consistently excelled on merit, ranking among the top achievers in education and emerging as leaders in tech," she said.

Khawaja was speaking at a webinar titled "HERstory: Google IWD 2025", organised by Google Pakistan in celebration of the International Women's Day (IWD). Event participants, numbering over 550, engaged in discussions on advancing women in technology and highlighted the achievements of females in Pakistan's digital economy.

The state IT minister emphasised that from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, women were not just participants but pioneers, breaking barriers and driving the next wave of innovation.

"Our commitment is clear: no woman should be left behind in tech revolution. Together, with industry leaders like Google, we are building a future where women don't just participate in technology; they lead it," Khawaja said.

Google Country Director for Pakistan Farhan Qureshi added, "We believe in the power of technology to transform lives and we're committed to building a 'Future Forward Pakistan' where everyone can reach their full potential in the digital economy.

"With Pakistan being the third-largest freelance economy in the world and a rapidly growing digital talent pool, we are encouraged by the enthusiasm in digital skills, especially through the active participation of women across our programmes. Through initiatives like Digital Safar, Google Career Certificates and our Google Developer Groups, we will continue to equip all Pakistanis with the skills, opportunities and networks to succeed in the global economy."