Pakistan today is undergoing a digital transformation - one that is significantly decreasing the gender gap in mobile and internet access. This week You! explores how mobile access is empowering women across Pakistan. Read on…
At the break of dawn in a small village in Sindh, 29-year-old Shaista starts her day not just by tending to her household chores - but also by checking her mobile phone. A few taps on the screen and she is connected to the world: ready to connect with her community, to receive and send money to her family, and to learn a new skill - be it a cooking recipe or how to make a purse from yarn.
Until a few years ago, this level of digital fluency among Pakistani women was unimaginable. Cultural norms, infrastructure limitations, and affordability issues created barriers that seemed impossible to overcome. However, Pakistan today is undergoing a digital transformation - one that is not only expanding broadband penetration across the country but is also significantly decreasing the gender gap in mobile and internet access. As per the GSMA (Group Special Mobile Association) Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025, Pakistan achieved the largest year-on-year reduction in the mobile internet gender gap globally, dropping from 38 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in 2024. What makes this milestone even more impressive is that it is largely being driven by women like Shaista who are now finding their place in the digital ecosystem.
“I used to think mobile internet was only for men or for the city people,” she says with a smile. “Now, this phone helps me learn and earn, and give my family something better than I ever had,” she adds.
At the start of 2025, Pakistan had 190 million cellular mobile connections, covering approximately 75.2 per cent of the population, according to GSMA Intelligence. Of these, 74 per cent are connected via 3G or 4G broadband networks - an impressive accomplishment in a country where digital access was once considered a privilege of urban elites.
Between 2018 and 2025, broadband subscriptions in Pakistan surged by an astonishing 151 per cent. Simultaneously, the country’s digital economy has evolved dramatically - from an average volume of US$100 million in 2000, growing to US$1–2 billion by 2010, and reaching an estimated US$12–15 billion by 2013. Looking ahead, this number is projected to grow further, reaching US$60–75 billion by 2030. In terms of GDP (gross domestic product) contribution, what was once a negligible share of less than 0.1 per cent in the early 2000s is now on track to surpass 5 per cent by 2025 and potentially rise to 15–25 per cent by 2035.
These numbers are not just economic indicators; they represent real opportunities for both men and women to be part of the economic mainstream. They signal a shift towards a more inclusive digital economy where gender is no longer a limiting factor but a point of empowerment.
Mobile internet access is more than just a technological convenience - it is a tool for transformation. Access to digital platforms helps individuals manage finances, acquire new skills, run businesses, and seek education. These platforms are allowing women in Pakistan to leap over long-standing economic and social barriers. Women who once depended solely on manual labour or domestic work can now supplement their income through online ventures, freelancing, digital sales, or content creation.
For 14-year-old Khadija, who works as a maid in a house in Karachi, the shift came when the sewing training centre in her area closed down. Unwilling to give up on her ambition, she turned to YouTube tutorials to enhance her sewing skills. Today, she earns extra income by stitching dresses for people in her neighbourhood and the family she works for. “Before this, I had never even touched a smartphone,” elucidates Khadija. “Now I make a decent income from stitching, and each month I am able to pay for my younger sibling’s school fees,” she states.
Stories like Khadija’s demonstrate the powerful ripple effects of digital inclusion - improved household incomes, increased financial independence, and enhanced decision-making power. In the long run, these effects extend beyond individual families, contributing to community development and national economic growth.
There is also an emerging ecosystem of female-led microenterprises that thrive purely online -whether it’s a home-based jewellery business on Instagram, a cooking page with monetised recipes, or a group of women pooling funds via digital wallets to start a small handicrafts brand. The mobile phone, in this sense, is not just a communication device - it’s a launchpad for enterprise.
According to GSMA’s 2025 report, 8 million women in Pakistan began using mobile internet in 2024 alone, compared to 5 million men. This growth is especially significant given the historical context - where mobile ownership and internet usage among women has long been hindered by social and structural barriers such as cultural norms, lack of education, and limited infrastructure.
Yet, change is visibly underway. Across communities, women are now using mobile phones not just to stay in touch with relatives, but also to access mobile banking services, enrol in online courses, and join WhatsApp groups that offer training in skills such as tailoring, embroidery, and even digital marketing. The adoption of mobile internet is enabling women to participate in the digital economy, improve their skills, and gain control over their financial choices.
“We are not just stitching clothes anymore - we are stitching a future,” comments Bushra, a mother of three from Sahiwal who recently joined a mobile-based savings group. “Earlier, I didn’t know how to save money. Now, I have a mobile wallet account. My daughter helps me use it,” she says proudly.
The role of younger family members, particularly sons and daughters, has been instrumental in bridging the knowledge gap for older women. This intergenerational collaboration is not only closing the digital divide but also breaking gender norms and strengthening family bonds.
Pakistan’s performance stands out particularly when compared with regional peers. In 2024, 45 per cent of Pakistani women were using mobile internet - up from 33 per cent in 2023. This surpasses neighbouring India (39 per cent) and Bangladesh (26 per cent), signalling Pakistan’s potential to become a regional leader in digital inclusion.
The digital gender divide is not only about access - it’s about empowerment through usage. Having a phone is one thing; knowing how to use it effectively and safely is another. That’s why the national focus has begun to shift from merely distributing devices to building digital and financial literacy.
Public-private partnerships, mobile operators, and NGOs are playing a vital role in this shift. Various initiatives have been launched to teach women how to operate smartphones, navigate apps, and utilise digital wallets. Programmes are also helping women understand their rights online, safeguard their privacy, and avoid digital fraud or misinformation.
Government entities like the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Universal Service Fund (USF) are supporting these efforts by expanding network coverage in underserved areas and funding training programmes that specifically target women and marginalised communities.
There is also a growing body of evidence showing the economic impact of such efforts. In low- and middle-income countries, every 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration is associated with a 2–3 per cent rise in GDP per capita. When this connectivity reaches women, the gains are even more far-reaching - benefiting not just individuals, but entire families and communities.
In Pakistan, even small-scale digital upskilling efforts are already bearing fruit. In rural Punjab, a pilot programme teaching women how to use QR codes for digital payments reported a 60 per cent increase in transactions within three months - proof that even basic interventions can drive measurable impact.
Despite commendable progress, many challenges persist. The affordability of smartphones remains a barrier for many women, particularly those in lower-income brackets. Limited digital skills, patriarchal attitudes, and the risk of online harassment also continue to hinder full participation.
Shared phone usage within families limits privacy and restricts the kind of personal and professional activities women can undertake online. Language barriers and low literacy levels, especially among older women, pose additional hurdles.
Nevertheless, the most crucial ingredient for change - the willingness to learn and adapt is clearly present. Across the country, countless women are taking small but determined steps toward digital empowerment.
Change does not come overnight, but signs of progress are visible in everyday life. A daughter teaching her mother how to send a WhatsApp message. A young girl earning income through an Instagram business. A woman confidently participating in a digital savings group. These quiet, everyday victories are shaping a new digital narrative for Pakistan.
Expanding access to mobile financial services, microfinance options, and digital training can help formalise the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector further, opening new paths for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. These efforts will be crucial in making sure that the momentum achieved so far is not only sustained but accelerated.
Encouragingly, the private sector is also stepping up. Telecom companies are now introducing subsidised smartphone schemes and zero-rated educational apps to increase uptake among women in low-income communities. Digital influencers and female trainers are using social media to share bite-sized tutorials in regional languages, helping bridge the skills gap in a culturally relevant way. These efforts, when combined with government-backed infrastructure and non-profit outreach, create a multi-layered support system. If scaled effectively, such initiatives can become a cornerstone for sustained progress - ensuring that no woman, regardless of her location or background, is left out of Pakistan’s digital future.
The power of digital connectivity extends far beyond economics. It brings dignity, autonomy, and freedom of choice. For millions of Pakistani women, the mobile phone has become a tool of transformation - a gateway to information, education, income, and agency.
As Pakistan continues to invest in digital infrastructure, policy frameworks, and literacy programmes, it is poised to become a leader in inclusive digital development. The progress made so far is a testament to what is possible when technology meets intent, and when barriers are addressed through a combination of innovation, policy, and grassroots engagement.
Perhaps one day soon, the phrase ‘digital gender gap’ will be a relic of the past.
For now, women like Shaista and Khadija are the pioneers of this quiet yet powerful revolution. Armed with mobile phones and a newfound confidence, they are not only getting connected -they are getting ahead, and they are taking their communities with them. In doing so, they are rewriting the future of Pakistan, one message, one tutorial, and one transaction at a time.
Bisma Shaikh serves as a Senior Communication Manager, with expertise in PR and strategic communications.
She can be reached at bisma.shaikh@yahoo.com
