Google upscaling the female labor force participation rate in Pakistan

In a country where the female literacy rate stands at an abysmal 50 percent and the female labor force participation rate at 22 percent, it is not surprising that females account for only 1 percent of entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

And if you exclude the female entrepreneurs who come from relatively privileged backgrounds, the number would portray a truly bleak picture. In such a dire situation, it is nothing less than a miracle that a tech leader is still willing to invest its time, energy and resources to ensure that women have an equal chance at representation in the tech circle in Pakistan.

Google has undertaken several initiatives that have helped many women in the past. Its Women Tech Makers aka WTM program is aimed at providing all kinds of necessary assistance to women in the tech industry. The fact that it inspired 1500 women to seek a career in the tech sector is a testament to the program’s success.

The Pakistani WTM Ambassadors organized 7 events across 5 cities with Google’s support wherein they advocated for greater diversity in the local tech community. The Agri-tech entrepreneur, Hafsa Syed’s – who also is a former Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) Lead from the PAF-IST campus. Her story is an inspiration for all aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Her startup earned a spot amongst the top 10 in the PM National Innovation Awards. This would not have been possible had she not attended one of the events organized by the Pakistani WTM Ambassadors last year in Lahore.

According to Karishma Zakaullah, a WTM Ambassador: “The best thing about the WTM Ambassador program is how it unites brilliant minds worldwide, fostering global impact through idea exchange and shared celebration of concepts. Plus, the training sessions and academy add an extra boost!”

Apart from taking initiatives on its own, Google has gone a step further by endorsing and throwing its weight behind initiatives like the Women Founders Circle. An initiative of the National Science & Technology Park (NSTP), this program offers Pakistani women an exclusive opportunity to speak to female Googlers who share their experience and expertise with the audiences, allowing them to gain firsthand knowledge of what it takes to step up in this field.

“I’m thrilled by the impactful collaboration between NSTP and Google Cloud in our Women Founders Circle initiative, especially as we honor Women’s Day. Speakers from Google have not only shared invaluable insights but have also sparked empowerment within women entrepreneurs. This collaboration is a significant stride towards fostering gender equality and inclusion in the tech industry, offering vital support and empowerment for women founders navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.” – Humaira Sajjad, Program Lead at NSTP

One can’t help but admire and appreciate all the work that Google is doing in the Pakistani tech sector to ensure that women too could have a decent shot at a tech career in Pakistan. Perhaps, it is time for the powers that be to wake up from slumber and do right by the aspiring Pakistani women entrepreneurs.

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