COVER STORY
You see her every day, the woman who starts her day before dawn, navigating city traffic while balancing a laptop bag, work files, a shoulder bag and a digital counter on her forefinger, striding forward to shape her career as an engineer and designing the future of the ever-progressing field. But her journey, unlike that of her male peers, is filled with challenges. This is the story of women engineers in Pakistan who face old social norms while pushing for innovation and change.
In Pakistan, engineering is often seen as a man’s field with hard hats, blueprints, skyscrapers and power grids at play, but behind this stereotype a quiet revolution is taking place as women break through barriers. Less than twenty percent of engineering students in Pakistan are women and even fewer enter the workforce. Social pressures, stereotyping and workplace bias create daily battles for them even before they touch a circuit board or a design plan. Fortunately, these obstacles are slowly fading and strong, determined women are emerging as pioneers of remarkable innovations.
Living examples of hope and courage
When we speak of women in male-dominated fields, we cannot help but mention those who brought real change to cultural and societal norms. They opened doors to places women had once only dreamed of and proved that talent and determination know no gender. These trailblazers did not just carve paths for themselves but also lit the way for countless others to follow.
Jehan Ara began her journey as a young woman with a vision for Pakistan's digital future. Today she stands at the heart of the country's startup ecosystem. Through initiatives such as The Nest I/O and Katalyst Labs she has nurtured young tech ventures and encouraged women entrepreneurs, creating spaces where they can lead, innovate and transform the landscape of technology.
Following in the spirit of breaking barriers, Sadaffe Abid founded CIRCLE Women to extend digital access to remote communities. She has opened doors where none existed for women who were once told that computers were for men alone, equipping them with coding skills, digital marketing tools and above all the confidence to claim their place in the digital world.
In Karachi, Sadia Bashir proved that video games aren't just for boys. As the founder of Pakistan's first gaming academy, she has welcomed female students into the worlds of animation, programming and design. She insists on gender quotas to level the playing field and create opportunities for women in tech.
Maria Umar broke down geographical and social barriers through freelancing. With her Women’s Digital League she has enabled thousands of women across Pakistan to earn independently from home, connecting them to projects around the globe and giving them financial freedom.
And then there is Ayesha Zaman who focuses on preparing young talent for the future. By offering skill training and linking students with international tech initiatives, she has demonstrated to the world that Pakistani women engineers are not only capable but are a force to be reckoned with.
These remarkable women show what it means to be part of the technology sector in Pakistan and prove through their own examples that the future of innovation will not be shaped by men alone. Women will be working side by side with their male counterparts. They are not exceptions but role models.
However, the struggle remains steep for many. Imagine a young girl in Lahore torn between her passion for robotics and her family's expectation that she should become a doctor or teacher. Many lack mentors, role models and support. In engineering classrooms, empty chairs often outnumber female students. After years of hard study, many women leave the workforce because of difficult work environments or family pressures. Some get married and are made to believe they cannot raise a family while pursuing a career. Such assumptions and false narratives not only shatter dreams but also weaken their will to live.
Current scenario in Pakistan
Since its independence, Pakistan has made slow but steady progress in women’s education. For example just over 68 percent of girls complete primary school, compared to roughly 71 percent of boys. Primary school enrollment for girls has increased, yet the reflection of this growth in higher science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is modest at best.
Women make up just 21 percent of engineering undergraduates at university level and hold only around 4.9 percent of engineering supervisory positions. Traditional social norms continue to shape educational choices. Science and engineering are often seen as male careers. Families, especially in rural areas, discourage daughters from pursuing such demanding fields, instead pushing them toward social sciences or teaching.
According to recent surveys, female enrolment in engineering programmes ranges between fifteen and twenty percent in major universities. In some elite institutions such as the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), women account for as much as thirty percent of engineering students. This is a notable achievement but still falls short of equality. However, this progress in enrolment does not always translate into employment. Many graduates face hurdles in the job market, and those who are hired often encounter discrimination or a lack of support in their workplaces.
Institutional support and policies
Recognising the gender gap, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched scholarship programmes specifically for women in STEM fields. These grants help to ease financial pressures and encourage further study. Some universities also offer mentorship schemes and leadership workshops designed for female students. Professional organizations like the Pakistan Women Engineers Association (PWEA) provide platforms for networking, knowledge sharing and advocacy. They hold conferences that highlight women’s achievements while addressing the challenges they face in the workplace.
Moreover, global partnerships have also opened doors for Pakistani women engineers. Collaborations with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), UNESCO and other international organisations have created opportunities for training and exposure to international standards and access to scholarships.
The private sector is also evolving. Increasing numbers of tech startups and energy companies are adopting inclusive hiring practices and workplace policies. Flexible hours, dedicated maternity support and anti-harassment measures are becoming more common, although they are not yet widespread.
Workplace challenges
Entering the workforce is only the beginning. Many women engineers encounter bias and limited opportunities for advancement. Cultural expectations often make it particularly difficult to balance career and family. Studies show that women leave engineering careers at higher rates than men. Reasons include the absence of mentorship, unequal pay, reluctance by companies to promote women and at times hostile workplace environments.
Change requires commitment from both male and female leaders. Creating safe spaces, ensuring fair rewards and valuing diverse perspectives not only foster innovation but also enhance a company’s reputation. Some Pakistani firms now run leadership development programmes exclusively for women engineers. These initiatives boost skills, strengthen confidence and help narrow the gender leadership gap. Colleagues who actively support one another promote respect and fairness across the workplace. Conversations about gender equality are also becoming less taboo, a sign that progress is under way.
The economic importance of gender diversity
Gender diversity is more than a matter of social justice; it boosts productivity and innovation. When women contribute, engineering solutions are often more thorough and inclusive. Pakistan faces pressing challenges such as energy shortages, rapid urbanisation, climate resilience and the demands of emerging digital economies. Harnessing all available talent, including women’s, is essential for meeting these complex needs.
Research by international organisations shows that companies with gender-diverse teams perform better both financially and creatively. Pakistan must tap into this potential to grow competitive industries and integrate into global markets. Empowering women in engineering also benefits society as a whole. Women who succeed in these fields challenge stereotypes, inspire younger generations and encourage a cultural shift towards valuing equality.
A call to action
Pakistan stands at a turning point. Investments in education, research and policy reforms are increasing, but the current situation won’t change to achieve equal representation anytime soon, and equal representation in STEM is still a distant goal. Parents must nurture girls’ interest in science and technology from an early age. Role models are vital, and highlighting successful women engineers in media can inspire future generations.
Universities need to strengthen mentorship and career services designed for women, and scholarships and research funding must continue and increase. Change is essential not only for fairness but also for Pakistan’s future. The HEC has taken encouraging steps by offering targeted scholarships for women in STEM, but much more remains to be done.
Private tech companies must create safe and flexible workplaces where women can grow and sustain their careers. Most importantly, communities need to challenge old biases. When parents encourage their daughters to build, design and code, they redefine traditions more powerfully than any policy document.
Government, industry leaders and civil society must work together to enforce gender equity policies and workplace protections. The young women who dream of circuits, machines or code should know that the road ahead will test them, but Pakistan needs their talent more than ever. The revolution of women engineers is already underway. Their hands build bridges, power cities and create software, and their minds are reshaping our country’s future. Breaking barriers is never easy, but it is necessary. In time, it will become a legacy of equality and excellence that Pakistan can proudly claim. This progress is not only about gender, it is about our country’s survival and growth. With climate change threatening cities, energy crises growing and the digital economy expanding, women engineers are crucial builders of resilience and innovation.
The day will come when women won’t have to break barriers because the path will be open and wide. Until then, every woman engineer is a warrior, every project a triumph and every success story a light leading the way forward.