Pakistan sees major progress in digital gender inclusion

May 15, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has made remarkable progress in bridging the mobile internet gender gap, with approximately 8 million women gaining access to mobile internet in 2024.

This development led to a significant narrowing of the digital gender divide from 38% to 25% marking the first substantial reduction since 2021, as highlighted in the newly released GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025.

This progress is aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Nation Pakistan Vision, which prioritizes inclusivity and equal digital access for all.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has played a crucial role in leading and implementing key initiatives that have now received global recognition.

According to the report, women’s mobile internet usage rose from 33% in 2023 to 45% in 2024 a 12% point increase, the highest among all countries surveyed.

Rural women contributed significantly to this growth, reflecting the effectiveness of targeted outreach and inclusion strategies, as per the press release.

In total, around 13 million people in Pakistan 8m women and 5m men began using mobile internet in 2024, showcasing the success of the government's digital inclusion efforts.

“This progress is the result of a clear vision at the top and coordinated implementation across institutions,” stated Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

“Our Ministry remains committed to ensuring that no one—especially women—is left behind in Pakistan’s digital transformation.”

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) also acknowledged the contributions of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), mobile operators, and development partners in driving this change.

This achievement reflects Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to digital inclusion, gender equality, and socio-economic development through technology, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a truly Digital Pakistan.

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