Computer World Pakistan partnered with 10Pearls as they are set to host the 9th annual Women Tech Quest (WTQ) on February 15, 2025. This premier event will simultaneously take place in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, offering a dynamic platform for women to showcase their skills, engage in competitions, and gain insights from industry leaders.
WTQ, inaugurated in 2017, has evolved into a cornerstone event for women in Pakistan’s tech industry. The 2025 edition continues this legacy by featuring competitive challenges across three key domains: software development, testing, and UI/UX design. These competitions are tailored for both students and professionals, ensuring inclusivity and a broad spectrum of participation. Participants can look forward to a comprehensive experience that extends beyond the competitions. The event will host a free conference segment, providing attendees with the opportunity to connect with leading women in technology, hear their inspiring stories, and gain valuable insights. This segment is designed to empower and inspire participants to reach new heights in their careers.
Esteemed speakers for WTQ 2025 include Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, Co-Founder and CEO of Sehat Kahani; Sohail Zindani, an author and entrepreneur; Maha Khalid, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of 24SEVEN; and Rifah Qadri, Executive Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Telenor Microfinance Bank Limited. Their diverse experiences and insights are anticipated to offer valuable perspectives on leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of women in technology. The event has garnered substantial support from industry leaders and sponsors committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. Notable sponsors include Easypaisa Digital Bank, Feroz1888 Mills LTD, Dawlance, Adamjee Life, Akhtar Textile (DayFresh), Hilton, Bosch, MG Apparels, Raiment 61, Pakistan Single Window, Careem, Out of the Box, NUR Candles, Slack (Salesforce), Peracha Ventures, and Bonanza Satrangi. Their contributions are instrumental in creating a vibrant ecosystem that encourages women to thrive in STEM fields.
Community partners such as AWS UG Karachi, Google Developer Groups, ACM UET, MLSA Lahore, and GDG chapters across various universities have played a pivotal role in amplifying WTQ’s mission. Event partners including Circle, P@SHA, Futurist Valley, NASTP, Ashrei Tech, and PSEB have also been instrumental in making WTQ 2025 impactful and far-reaching. Reflecting on its journey, WTQ has seen significant growth since its inception. Starting with a focus on coding and testing, it expanded to include design competitions and has consistently increased participation, with over 1,500 women engaging annually. The event’s success is not confined to Pakistan; in 2024, WTQ was launched in Costa Rica, marking a significant milestone in its global outreach.
The impact of WTQ is evident in the testimonials of past participants. Madeeha Amin, a previous participant in the testing category, shared,
“Winning the competition has not only boosted my self-confidence, it’s also a major milestone on my CV. As a budding professional, the experience of connecting with leading women was invaluable and something I’ll always cherish.”
Such experiences underscore WTQ’s role in accelerating careers and fostering a sense of community among women in tech. As the local ICT industry in Pakistan continues to grow, initiatives like WTQ are crucial in bridging the gender gap, providing mentorship, and creating inclusive spaces for women to thrive. The event not only offers a platform for skill-building and networking but also contributes to the broader goal of cultivating gender inclusivity in tech, empowering women to take center stage.
