Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to address the digital gender gap, advocating for enhanced digital literacy, improved affordability, relevant content, online safety, and social norm challenges.
PTA’s ‘Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy’ acknowledges the persistent gender digital divide, highlighting structural inequalities and social norms impacting women’s access to technology and exacerbating education and income gaps.
Despite mobile technology’s prevalence in Pakistan, women lag behind in ownership and usage, as underscored by the GSMA’s Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022, revealing a 33% lower likelihood of women owning mobile phones and a 38% lower likelihood of using mobile internet compared to men.
Surveys and consultations conducted during strategy development underscored concerns regarding technology affordability. Over half of respondents deemed handsets, mobile services, and the internet somewhat affordable, with 36% finding handsets unaffordable, particularly affecting women due to financial constraints.
Primary reasons for internet use varied significantly between genders, with women primarily using it for social connections. Attitudes toward women’s technology use reflected societal norms, with a concerning portion advocating for restricted access.
Challenges including access to networks, handsets, identification documents, training, and electricity were identified, with women disproportionately affected due to patriarchal controls, financial constraints, and limited access to resources.
Affordability barriers, exacerbated by taxation on telecommunication services, hinder both men and women, with women experiencing greater financial dependence and reliance on shared devices, reinforcing gender inequalities.
PTA’s strategy underscores the need for collaborative efforts to bridge the digital gender gap, recognizing the multifaceted nature of the challenges and advocating for inclusive policies to ensure equitable access to technology for all.
