Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a comprehensive six-month IT and digital skills training program. The ambitious project seeks to bridge the digital divide by equipping 27,000 rural women across the province with the necessary tools and training to thrive in the digital economy. By ensuring access to digital education, the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of fostering economic independence and financial inclusion for women in underserved areas.
Under this initiative, each of the selected participants will receive a fully funded scholarship to undergo online training in key digital skills, enabling them to participate in the growing global freelancing and e-commerce sectors. To further facilitate their journey into the digital workforce, graduates of the program will be provided with desktop computers and free Wi-Fi devices, ensuring that they have uninterrupted access to online resources and work opportunities. The Punjab Skills Development Department will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the program, ensuring that participants receive high-quality training that meets global standards.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz underscored the importance of digital literacy in today’s fast-evolving technological landscape, emphasizing that equipping rural women with IT skills will unlock countless employment opportunities. She stated that the program is designed to enable women to pursue freelancing careers, establish tech startups, and manage online businesses from the comfort of their homes. By eliminating geographical and financial barriers, the initiative aims to integrate more women into Pakistan’s growing digital economy and reduce the gender gap in technology-driven employment sectors.
The program is expected to include training in essential areas such as digital marketing, e-commerce management, graphic design, content creation, and coding. These skill sets are tailored to the evolving demands of the digital job market, ensuring that graduates have practical expertise that can translate into remote job opportunities or entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, the provision of computers and internet access ensures that participants can immediately put their skills to use upon completing the training.
This initiative comes at a time when Pakistan is actively working to boost digital inclusion and economic empowerment for women. The country has witnessed a surge in freelancing and digital entrepreneurship in recent years, with thousands of young professionals leveraging global online platforms to secure employment. By targeting rural women, who often face greater socioeconomic challenges in accessing education and employment, the Punjab government aims to create a more inclusive and digitally empowered workforce.
The announcement has been widely lauded by experts and stakeholders in the tech industry, who believe that such initiatives can have a transformative impact on the country’s economic landscape. Digital rights activists and women’s empowerment organizations have also welcomed the move, highlighting that increasing women’s participation in the digital economy can contribute to overall national growth and prosperity.
As the program rolls out, the Punjab Skills Development Department will work closely with industry professionals and digital training institutes to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and impactful. Regular assessments and mentorship programs will also be introduced to track participants’ progress and provide them with career guidance. This initiative marks a significant step toward achieving digital inclusivity and women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan. By providing rural women with the skills and resources needed to succeed in the digital age, the Punjab government is laying the foundation for a future where more women can participate in and benefit from the expanding tech-driven economy.
