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Islamabad: “HERstory: Google IWD 2025”, an online webinar hosted by GDG Live Pakistan, brought together industry leaders and government representatives to explore the digital empowerment of women across Pakistan. The webinar brought together leading figures from both government and industry to share insights into ongoing and future initiatives aimed at reducing the gender divide in technology.
In his opening remarks, Google Pakistan’s Country Director Farhan Qureshi emphasized that “Google is working on initiatives to enable Pakistanis, especially women, on a global scale.” He elaborated on how the tech giant is actively investing in digital literacy programs and partnering with local entities to create an ecosystem that empowers women with the skills needed to succeed in the global digital economy. Qureshi’s comments underscored the importance of these collaborative efforts in bridging traditional barriers and enabling a future-ready workforce.
Following Qureshi’s address, Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja outlined the government’s strategic roadmap for digital inclusion. She stated emphatically, “AI will not replace jobs; it will create AI-enabled people in all sectors,” highlighting the critical role that emerging technologies play in transforming the workforce.
Minister Khawaja also stressed that women empowerment in tech is a priority for the government, which is committed to complying with UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of its broader vision.
Expanding on these points, Minister Khawaja detailed several key initiatives underway, including Digital Pakistan, the ICT for Girls program, and the Smart Islamabad project. She noted that approximately 50% of Pakistani women now own a mobile device, a testament to the rise in digital literacy nationwide.
Furthermore, she emphasized that programs like Digiskills and other women empowerment initiatives are offered free of charge, enabling more women to benefit from digital skilling. She also highlighted forward-looking projects such as the establishment of a women-led incubation center and efforts to boost ecommerce participation, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to diminishing the gender divide in the IT workforce.
The discussion further featured contributions from industry experts who shared their personal success stories. Senior Machine Learning Engineer Tahreem Rasul, YouTube creator and entrepreneur Kanwal Ahmed, and creative freelancer Khadijah Shahzad.
Concluding the webinar, speakers called for sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors to further these initiatives. The insights shared by Farhan Qureshi and Minister Khawaja painted a clear picture of a future where strategic investments in technology and inclusive policies drive economic growth while positioning women as pivotal contributors to Pakistan’s digital economy. The event served not only as a review of current progress but also as a roadmap for continuing efforts in digital empowerment across the country.
