IT minister for collective action to end abuse

Says women can be empowered via education and digital skills

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday issued a message to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, calling violence against women a serious social and human injustice that requires strong and continued attention.

She expressed solidarity with every woman and girl in Pakistan, reaffirming that their safety and dignity remain central to the country's development goals. The minister highlighted that real empowerment could only be achieved when women had access to education, digital skills and economic opportunities.

She noted that those factors would help women participate in national growth and ensure that they were better equipped to protect themselves, both online and offline.

Commenting on this year's global theme – "Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls" – the IT minister said the message reflects an urgent need. She pointed to the rise in online harassment, blackmail and hateful behaviour, stressing that the digital space must not become barriers to women.

These trends demand immediate and organised responses from authorities, communities and technology stakeholders. The minister stressed that creating a safe digital environment for young women and girls was a top priority.

She emphasised that technology could only support progress when women were confident that the digital world was safe and accessible to them. She added that opening pathways for women in technology was an essential pillar for Pakistan's digital future as broader participation would lead to stronger and more inclusive development.

The minister also acknowledged the women who had survived digital abuse and those who continued to raise their voices against it. She said their courage "encourages others to come forward and helps build awareness of the challenges women face in online spaces".