Digital Divide Deepens Gender Inequality in Pakistan: NCSW

News Desk

Islamabad:Pakistan’s growing digital divide is widening existing gender inequalities and leaving women at greater risk of being excluded from the country’s technological transformation, National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar has warned.

Speaking at a consultative session in Karachi, Bakhtiar called on policymakers, political leaders and other stakeholders to ensure women are placed at the centre of efforts to expand access to technology and digital opportunities.

The session was organised by the NCSW in collaboration with the UNFPA, UNDP, UN Women and Jazz as part of a nationwide consultation process on women and technology.

It was the third of four planned sessions being held across Pakistan to gather recommendations from stakeholders. The NCSW plans to compile the findings into a report that will be presented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Participants highlighted both the opportunities and risks created by the rapid expansion of digital technology, with particular focus on women’s access to digital tools, online safety and the widening gap between those who can benefit from technology and those who cannot.

State Bank Deputy Governor Sima Kamil highlighted the role of cultural differences in shaping women’s experiences in the digital sphere and stressed the importance of threat-assessment training for technology users.

Procter & Gamble CEO Adil Farhat outlined initiatives being undertaken by the company to promote greater gender inclusion in the digital space.

Sindh Information Secretary Asif Ikram also highlighted the contributions of women throughout history, arguing that their participation had played a significant role in social advancement.

The consultation forms part of the NCSW’s broader effort to develop recommendations aimed at ensuring women are not left behind as Pakistan’s digital landscape continues to expand.