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Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima has said that eight million women in Pakistan are now working online. The minister’s claim suggests a massive shift towards digital employment and economic empowerment. However, a closer look at the data reveals this figure is a misinterpretation.
According to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025, the figure of eight million actually refers to women who gained mobile internet access in 2024, not those formally employed in online jobs. The report highlights Pakistan’s progress in reducing the digital divide, with the mobile internet gender gap shrinking from 38% to 25% last year. This development is seen as a milestone for digital inclusion.
The distinction between internet access and online employment is crucial. While mobile connectivity provides the foundation for digital work, it does not mean that all eight million women are earning from online platforms. Shaza Fatima’s statement appears to conflate a significant achievement in digital access with a smaller, though growing, segment of the female workforce.
Pakistan remains an important hub for freelancing and digital services, but reports from the World Bank and other institutions indicate that female participation in formal employment is still limited. Societal barriers and mobility challenges continue to restrict women’s ability to take up online work, though many are increasingly pursuing home-based freelance opportunities.
The government’s Digital Pakistan initiatives, including skills training and e-commerce promotion, are laying the groundwork for wider participation of women in the online economy. While eight million women have now taken the first step by going online, the actual number earning through digital work is still emerging.
