Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima recently stated that eight million women in Pakistan are working online, suggesting a dramatic rise in female digital employment. However, data from the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 reveals a different story. The eight million figure actually represents the number of women who gained mobile internet access in 2024, not those earning income through online jobs.
The report shows significant progress in bridging the digital divide, with Pakistan’s mobile internet gender gap shrinking from 38% to 25% last year—a milestone for digital inclusion. While increased connectivity lays the groundwork for women to join the online economy, it doesn’t mean that all eight million are already engaged in paid digital work.
Pakistan remains a key hub for freelancing and digital services, yet female participation in formal online employment remains limited. Barriers such as social norms and mobility challenges continue to restrict opportunities, even as more women explore home-based freelance and e-commerce ventures.
Government-led Digital Pakistan initiatives, including skills training and e-commerce promotion, are helping women take the first steps toward financial independence. For now, eight million Pakistani women have gained access to the internet—an important leap forward—but the number actively earning through digital platforms is still developing.
