Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSMA) Action Collation for bridging digital divide, successfully organized a one-day workshop titled "Bridging the Mobile Gender Gap" today at PTA's Headquarters in Islamabad. The workshop featured participation from representatives of Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Defense, Universal Services Fund, Minsitry of Human Rights and other government and private entities.
The workshop aimed to address the digital gender divide in Pakistan by bringing together stakeholders from the government, and civil society to improve gender in ICTs. Key discussions focused on strategies to enhance women's access to mobile technology and digital services, with an emphasis on creating inclusive policies and fostering a supportive ecosystem.
On this occasion, Chairman PTA, Maj. Gen. (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, said that, this initiative is a vital step towards addressing the digital gender divide in Pakistan. This workshop marks the beginning of our collective journey towards a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all, he further added.
In her keynote address, Nilofar Bakhtiar, Former Federal Minister Women Development Department and Ex- Chair of NCSW, emphasized the critical need for digital inclusion of women, highlighting that gender equality in the digital realm is essential for economic and social development.
During the event, Mr. Julain Gorman, Head of APAC GSMA highlighted the discussion on leveraging global expertise and collaborative efforts to tailor solutions specifically for enhancing women's inclusion and empowerment in Pakistan.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions, exploring best practices for empowering women through mobile technology and ensuring their participation in the digital economy. The workshop also highlighted successful case studies from other countries that have made significant progress in bridging the mobile gender gap.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants and shields to the GSMA and NCWS officials.