Islamabad, The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) unveiled its innovative ‘Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy’ at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, marking a significant advancement in promoting gender equality within the digital domain. The strategy, developed in collaboration with UNESCO Pakistan, aims to enhance the participation of women in the digital transformation of Pakistan, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the burgeoning digital economy.
According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the launch event was graced by distinguished delegates from international organizations, national operators, and representatives of women empowerment forums, underlining the global importance of the initiative. PTA Chairman, Maj Gen (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, highlighted the strategy’s objectives, emphasizing PTA’s dedication to fostering an inclusive digital ecosystem that supports diversity, innovation, and equal opportunities for women from all walks of life.
Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, spoke on the collaboration’s significance, noting that the strategic partnership between PTA and UNESCO represents a crucial step towards accelerating digital gender inclusion in Pakistan. UNESCO’s ongoing support will focus on enhancing digital literacy and skill development for Pakistani women.
The event also featured remarks from the Honourable Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), Mr. Masanori Kondo, who acknowledged the importance of the Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy and the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote gender inclusion in digital spaces. He assured APT’s support for such initiatives.
The conference was managed by Ms. Jeanette Whyte, Head of Public Policy GSMA APAC, with discussions moderated by Ms. Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion, Mobile 4 Development (M4D) GSMA. The dialogue emphasized the collective action required to drive digital inclusion and ensure that women can fully participate in and benefit from the digital revolution.
The Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy provides a detailed implementation roadmap, including timelines and measurable outcomes, based on inputs from a wide array of stakeholders and experts at both national and international levels. The document, now available on the PTA’s website, lays the groundwork for significant strides towards achieving digital gender parity in Pakistan, showcasing the country’s commitment to creating a more equitable digital future.