The Senate of Pakistan has recently passed a resolution that calls for the government to prioritize digital education (digital skills) for women and girls in the country.
The resolution was passed unanimously and is aimed at providing a gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology, and digital education.
The resolution was moved by Seemee Ezdi and others, and it calls for the government to equip women and girls with digital skills by prioritizing education in Information Communication Technology subjects.
It also asks the government to allocate separate funds through Public Sector Development Programme projects on the digital empowerment of women.
According to the resolution, bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results in more creative solutions and innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.
The resolution also recognized that technology is rapidly evolving and is essential to address the challenges of the 21st century.
The resolution is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in the country, as it will provide women and girls with the necessary skills to compete in the digital economy.
The digital economy is rapidly growing and provides numerous opportunities for individuals and businesses. However, women are often left behind in the digital revolution, as they are less likely to have access to digital skills and technology.
The Senate’s resolution aims to bridge this digital gender gap by providing women and girls with digital skills that will enable them to participate in the digital economy.
It also calls for the government to ensure that digital education is inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or location.
The resolution is a welcome development, as Pakistan’s digital economy is multiplying, and there is an urgent need to provide digital skills to women and girls. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the country’s digital economy is worth around $3.3 billion and is expected to grow to $7 billion by 2025.
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The digital economy has the potential to create numerous job opportunities and increase the country’s economic growth, but this can only be achieved if women and girls are included in the digital revolution.
Apart from the resolution on digital education, the Senate also passed another resolution that called for the establishment of a permanent division and its subordinate task force for chalking out a practical roadmap for eliminating Riba and establishing an interest-free system.
The resolution aims to establish an interest-free financial system that is Shariah-compliant and eliminates the concept of interest/riba from various financial institutions. Speaking on the resolution, Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghous Pasha said that the government’s priority is to make the financial system free of riba. For this purpose, a task force has already been established to prepare a roadmap.
In addition to these resolutions, the Senate also passed two bills, including The Control of Narcotics Substances Amendment Bill 2022 and the Pakistan Institute of Research and Registration of Quality Assurance Bill, 2023. Three bills were laid before the Senate: The Toshakhana (Maintenance, Administration and Regulation Bill), the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, and the Export Processing Zones Authority Amendment Bill.
The Senate’s resolutions and bills are a significant development that will promote digital education, gender equality, and an interest-free financial system in the country. These resolutions and bills have the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy and society and create a brighter future for all its citizens.
Importance of Digital Skills for Women
Digital skills have become increasingly important in today’s world, and women need to have access to these skills to compete in the digital economy.
With the world becoming more digitized, digital literacy is becoming an essential skill for everyone. This includes basic computer skills, understanding social media, online safety, and cloud computing.
For women, digital skills are particularly important because they face unique challenges in the workplace and society. The gender pay gap, lack of representation in leadership positions, and discrimination are just some of the challenges that women face. However, digital skills can help women overcome these barriers and empower them to succeed in their careers.
Here are some reasons why digital skills are essential for women:
- Bridging the Gender Gap: Women are underrepresented in the tech industry, and this gap is particularly prominent in developing countries. Providing women with digital skills can help bridge this gap and create more opportunities for women in the tech industry.
- Increasing Employment Opportunities: Digital skills can open up new career opportunities for women in a wide range of fields, from IT and engineering to marketing and sales. Digital skills also enable women to work remotely, which can be particularly beneficial for women with family responsibilities.
- Promoting Entrepreneurship: Digital skills can also help women start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. With access to digital tools and platforms, women can reach a wider audience and grow their businesses faster.
- Improving Financial Literacy: Digital skills can help women become more financially literate and manage their finances better. This includes using online banking, budgeting tools, and investment apps.
- Empowering Women: Digital skills empower women by giving them the confidence and tools they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Women who are digitally literate are more likely to have a voice in their communities and be able to advocate for their rights.
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