UN Women Pakistan, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched the inaugural Digital Startup Roundtable in Islamabad, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering young women in Pakistan’s technology sector. This event is part of the broader Digitalization for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project and brought together innovators, policy experts, development partners, and women entrepreneurs to discuss how digital skills can drive inclusive economic growth and promote gender equality.
Jacqui Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, emphasized the importance of investing in women and amplifying their voices to ensure a digital economy that includes everyone. KOICA’s Deputy Country Director, Sodam Baek, highlighted technology’s role as a powerful equalizer and the agency’s commitment to equipping young women with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital economy.
The roundtable featured two thematic sessions: the first addressed policy and infrastructure challenges that hinder women’s digital access, particularly in underserved areas, stressing the need for stronger digital infrastructure and gender-responsive policies. The second focused on mentorship and market access, exploring support mechanisms for women-led startups through business development, financing, and procurement, while emphasizing the inclusion of underrepresented voices in the digital ecosystem.
Sayyed Ahmad Masud from the National Incubation Centre Islamabad added a national perspective, underlining the critical role of digital skills in national progress and women’s empowerment.
The Digital Startup Roundtable Series is a core component of KOICA’s D4WEE project, which operates in six Pakistani cities—Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Mardan, Peshawar, and Swabi—targeting women aged 18 to 35 with digital training, mentorship, and private sector engagement opportunities to bridge the gender gap in Pakistan’s digital economy.
