UN Women Pakistan, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched a new Digital Startup Roundtable Series in Islamabad to boost digital and entrepreneurial opportunities for young women across the country. The initiative, held under the Digitalization for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, underscores the vital role of digital skills in advancing women’s economic participation in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving technology sector.
The roundtable gathered key stakeholders including policymakers, development partners, and women entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for narrowing the gender gap in digital access and entrepreneurship. Jacqui Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, highlighted the urgent need to ensure women are not left behind as the digital economy expands. She called for collaborative efforts to invest in women, promote mentorship, and foster an inclusive environment where women’s voices are heard and valued.
Sodam Baek, Deputy Director of the KOICA Pakistan Office, reinforced this message by stressing KOICA’s commitment to making technology an empowering force for women. He noted that KOICA’s support for the D4WEE project is driven by the belief that inclusive technology can equalize opportunities and empower young women to succeed in the digital economy.
The event featured two central sessions. The first addressed policy and infrastructure challenges, tackling structural obstacles that hinder women’s digital inclusion. The second session explored practical approaches to support women-led startups, focusing on mentorship programs, access to finance, and creating market linkages to enable sustainable business growth.
The D4WEE project is being implemented in six cities, including Lahore and Peshawar, and targets women aged 18 to 35. By providing training and resources, the project aims to bridge Pakistan’s digital divide and ensure that young women are equipped to participate fully and equally in the nation’s burgeoning technology landscape.
