The Telecom Operators’ Association (TOA), together with GSMA, hosted an event to mark the release of the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026, which highlights Pakistan’s historic progress in narrowing the mobile gender gap.
According to the report, Pakistan recorded the largest improvement among all surveyed countries in narrowing the mobile ownership gender gap, which declined from 37% in 2024 to 27% in 2025. Pakistan also ranked among the top-performing countries across the 14 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) surveyed, recording improvements across nearly all indicators of women’s digital access and usage.
A key highlight of the report was the sharp reduction in the mobile internet gender gap, from 25% to 8% in just one year, among the fastest improvements recorded globally. Women’s mobile internet usage increased significantly, while male usage remained relatively stable, indicating strong momentum in women’s digital adoption.
The report also found that 94% of women with their own smartphones use mobile internet daily, compared to 48% among those using shared devices, highlighting the critical role of device ownership in enabling meaningful digital engagement.
Speaking at the event, Aamir Ibrahim, Chairman TOA, said: “Pakistan’s progress in narrowing the gender gap in mobile ownership and internet use is a significant achievement and demonstrates what is possible when government, industry, and other stakeholders work toward a shared goal of digital inclusion. Sustaining this momentum will require continued focus on affordability, digital skills, and creating more opportunities for women to independently participate in the digital economy.”
Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, said: “Pakistan stands out as one of the strongest performers among the countries surveyed. The substantial reduction in the gender gap reflects meaningful progress driven by collective effort. Ensuring women have access to their own devices and a supportive digital ecosystem will be critical to maintaining this momentum.”
The event also brought together GSMA experts, including Dominica Lindsey, Senior Director, Connected Women, Mobile for Development; Emma Catalfamo, Senior Insights Manager, Connected Women, Mobile for Development; Laura Martineau Searle, Director of Policy and Advocacy – Digital Inclusion; and Saira Faisal Syed, Country Lead on Digital Transformation, who engaged stakeholders in discussions on addressing barriers to women’s digital participation and advancing inclusive connectivity.
Participants highlighted affordability, digital literacy and skills, and social norms and family disapproval as key barriers to women’s internet adoption. They emphasized the need for a multi-dimensional response, including affordable devices, improved digital literacy, safe and inclusive online environments, and efforts to address structural barriers limiting women’s access.
Speakers reiterated that mobile internet access enables education, healthcare, financial services, entrepreneurship, and broader economic opportunity, making digital inclusion a key development priority for Pakistan.
The Association also welcomed ongoing policy and industry efforts aimed at expanding digital access and inclusion. TOA commended the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), development partners, and industry stakeholders whose collective efforts have contributed to improving digital access for women and accelerating Pakistan’s progress toward a more inclusive digital future.
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