Mobile Inequality
A recent diagnostic report titled “Pakistan’s Digital Ecosystem,” released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has brought renewed attention to the widening gender gap in mobile phone ownership and internet usage in the country.
Drawing from the GSMA’s 2023 Mobile Gender Gap Report, the ADB highlights alarming statistics that underscore the challenges Pakistani women face in accessing digital technology.
According to the data, women in Pakistan are 35% less likely than men to own a mobile phone, with ownership rates standing at just 52% for women compared to 81% for men. The divide is even more pronounced when it comes to mobile internet usage—women are 38% less likely to use mobile internet services, limiting their access to digital opportunities, services, and information.
However, the true extent of this gap may be even larger than reported. Many women rely on mobile devices registered in the names of male family members, making it difficult to assess actual access levels. Cultural norms and household dynamics further obscure the reality of digital access among women.
The report outlines several persistent barriers contributing to the gender digital divide:
- Lack of family approval remains a significant obstacle—once the leading barrier until 2019, it now ranks second.
- Online harassment disproportionately affects women, with 5% expressing concern over unwanted messages and calls, compared to 3% of men. Concerns about identity theft and misuse of personal data are also higher among women.
- Digital skills deficits are widespread. Women comprise only 14% of ICT graduates, and a 35% gender gap in computer literacy further emphasizes female underrepresentation in the digital realm.
- Rural women face compounded challenges including limited skills, conservative social expectations, safety concerns, and cost-related hurdles.
The report also identifies regional disparities as a major contributor to digital exclusion. While urban populations benefit from relatively better infrastructure and connectivity, rural areas—which are home to more than 60% of Pakistan’s population—still struggle with basic access to broadband and mobile networks. Poor connectivity, high costs of devices, and limited digital literacy, especially among rural women, continue to deepen this divide.
As Pakistan navigates a fast-changing digital landscape—characterized by growing automation, cloud computing, and hybrid work environments—it must also address systemic inequalities. The report stresses that affordability, education, infrastructure, and sociocultural reform are crucial to closing the digital gap.
In order to harness the full potential of its population and keep pace with global technological trends, Pakistan must take comprehensive action to ensure equitable digital access for all, particularly for women and rural communities.
