Over 8 million women came online in 2024, GSMA Report

In 2024, Pakistan witnessed a significant narrowing of its digital gender divide, with over 8 million women gaining internet access for the first time, according to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap report released on Wednesday. This growth reflects ongoing efforts to increase women’s digital inclusion through targeted infrastructure expansion, affordability initiatives, and digital literacy programmes. While the gender gap in mobile internet usage still stands at 38%, the progress marks a substantial improvement from previous years. Experts attribute this trend to both private sector interventions and public policies aimed at empowering women digitally. However, the report also warns that affordability, social norms, and safety concerns continue to limit women’s full digital participation. Continued investment in equitable access, especially in rural areas, is essential to sustain this momentum and ensure that digital rights are equally accessible to all genders.