The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) plans to support at least 20 women-led technology startups every year and train 200 female micro-entrepreneurs in digital business skills under a proposed initiative to expand women’s participation in Pakistan’s technology sector.

The plan includes a proposed Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment (WISE) Lab to help women develop business ideas, improve their commercial potential and build technology-based ventures.

The proposed lab would provide women entrepreneurs with access to startup support and resources to develop innovative products and services. The initiative is also intended to help women turn business ideas into sustainable ventures and become more active in Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.

Separately, the ministry plans to train 200 female micro-entrepreneurs annually in the use of digital tools and technology-based business solutions. The training aims to help women-led small businesses improve their operations, reach more customers and explore online markets.

The proposed measures focus on barriers that can limit women’s participation in technology entrepreneurship, including gaps in digital skills, access to business networks and institutional support.

Through the startup and training initiatives, the ministry aims to create more opportunities for women to establish technology businesses and participate in the country’s growing digital economy. The proposed annual targets outline the intended scale of the support, although the details provided do not specify a launch date, funding allocation or implementation timeline.