With the support of KOICA, UN Women Host Digital Startup Roundtable to Empower Young Women in Lahore, Punjab
Lahore — UN Women Pakistan, with the valuable support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), organized the latest district-level session of its Digital Startup Roundtable Series – Women Leading Innovation in Lahore, Punjab. The event gathered policymakers, tech leaders, private sector representatives, development partners, and young women entrepreneurs to discuss the role of women in shaping Pakistan’s digital future.
As part of the Digitalization for Women’s Economic Empowerment (D4WEE) project, the Lahore roundtable created a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and solution-building to strengthen women’s access to digital skills, tools, and entrepreneurship opportunities across Punjab. Since July 2025, the series has successfully convened similar sessions in Islamabad, Mardan, Multan, and Swabi, with Lahore marking its continued expansion across the country.
The roundtable featured two thematic discussions. The first focused on policy and infrastructure, encouraging dialogue on gender-responsive digital governance, improved infrastructure, and strategies to expand affordable internet access in underserved communities. Government representatives, academics, and industry experts shared insights on enabling inclusive policies to bridge the gender digital divide in Punjab.
The second discussion centred on growth pathways for women entrepreneurs, looking beyond early-stage mentorship to address access to finance, networks, and competitive markets. Participants emphasized the need to connect women-led startups with investors, enable partnerships with established businesses, and expand women’s visibility in both local and international supply chains.
The Lahore session reaffirmed KOICA and UN Women’s joint commitment to advancing gender equality through innovation and technology. By equipping women aged 18–35 with the skills, resources, and entrepreneurial pathways they need, the D4WEE project continues to create opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and more inclusive digital growth in Pakistan.
Through training, mentorship, and engagement with the private sector, the project is empowering young women to actively contribute to Pakistan’s digital economy and lead innovation in their communities.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
