Islamabad
\nWith the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UN Women Pakistan launched the first event of its Digital Startup Roundtable Series in Islamabad. The event convened thought leaders, innovators, policy experts, development partners, and aspiring young women entrepreneurs to explore the transformative power of digital skills in driving women\u2019s economic empowerment.
\nUnder the Digitalization for Women\u2019s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, the roundtable served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, dialogue, and innovation. The event aligned with the shared vision of UN Women and KOICA to promote gender equality and inclusive development through technology and entrepreneurship.
\nIt focused on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young women in Pakistan\u2019s digital ecosystem and emphasized the importance of fostering an enabling environment for their participation and leadership in the tech sector.
\n\u201cIn today\u2019s rapidly evolving digital economy, leaving women behind is not an option,\u201d said Jacqui Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan. \u201cWe are working towards a future where young women shape the tech landscape, lead innovations, and take their ideas from local to global.
\nBut vision alone is not enough \u2014 we call on all partners to step up, invest in women, open doors to mentorship, and amplify every voice. Only then can we unlock the full potential of Pakistan\u2019s digital future.\u201d
\nAdding a national perspective, Sayyed Ahmad Masud, National Incubation Centre Islamabad highlighted the importance of women\u2019s participation in shaping the country\u2019s digital future.
\n\u201cDigital skills are the cornerstone of progress in today\u2019s world. By empowering women to embrace technology, we are not only enabling individual success but also fostering national growth. Women\u2019s participation in the digital sector is vital to Pakistan\u2019s future,\u201d he stated.
\nThe event featured two key thematic sessions addressing barriers and opportunities for women in the digital economy.
\nThe first session focused on policy and infrastructure, bringing together policymakers, digital experts, and development practitioners to discuss the structural challenges that limit women\u2019s access to technology. Participants explored ways to strengthen digital infrastructure, integrate gender-responsive indicators into national e-governance reforms, and expand access in underserved regions.
\nThe second session centered on mentorship and market access, offering a collaborative space to brainstorm strategies for supporting women-led startups.
\nDiscussions emphasized the importance of mentorship, business development services, access to finance, and procurement opportunities.
\nSpeakers shared practical insights on how to connect women entrepreneurs with both local and international markets and called for ecosystem stakeholders to actively support underrepresented women in tech.
\nThe Digital Startup Roundtable Series is organized as part of the KOICA-funded Digitalization for Women\u2019s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, which aims to enhance the participation of women aged 18 to 35 in the technology sector through digital skills training, mentorship, and private sector engagement. Implemented across Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Mardan, Peshawar, and Swabi, the project seeks to bridge the digital divide in Pakistan and ensure women have equal access to opportunities in the country\u2019s evolving digital landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UN Women Pakistan launched the first event of its Digital Startup Roundtable Series in Islamabad. The event convened thought leaders, innovators, policy experts, development partners, and aspiring young women entrepreneurs to explore the transformative power of digital skills in driving women\u2019s economic empowerment. Under […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":490963,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-490934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n