Seminar: Importance of Cyber Security and Women’s Role in Digital Era
Venue: Auditorium, Karachi School of Business and Leadership
Dated: 19th March 2022

Summary:

Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration with Digitally Techy and different corporate and social sector organizations organized a seminar on “Importance of Cyber Security and Women’s Role in Digital Era” on 19th March 2022 at Karachi School of Business and Leadership.

The event was attended by Ms. Rabia Azfar Nizami, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sindh, Ms. Safia Dost Muhammad, Organizational Psychologist /Corporate Strategist, Ms. Fouzia Nadeem, Head Mistress at Army Public School, Mr. Muhammad Salman Popatya CEO, S2 Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Muddasir Iqbal, Business Development Lead Jaffer Business Systems (JBS), Mr. HatimS. Dabbawala, CEO, Mr. Zohaib Yousfi, Director Technical at Nescop Technologies, Mr. Shahab Ahmed, IT Manager at ICI Pakistan, Mr. Asma zeeshan, Circle Technology Head – South at Telenor, Kh. Tanveer Saleem, IT Lead at United Energy Pakistan, Mariam Faisal Founder Aquachic International, Irum Fawad Business Growth Advisor JV Genius, Ms. Hareem Akhlaq, Manager VinCorp and others.

The seminar gathered experts from different industries under one roof to discuss some of the key challenges in the context of cyber security and the digital divide between genders especially when it comes to access, affecting the companies in Pakistan. Distinguished speakers shed light on the centrality of women role as a keystone of a prosperous, modern economy that provides sustainable
inclusive growth and celebrated the tremendous efforts by women and girls in shaping a more equal and sustainable future for Pakistan.

The speakers highlighted that the digital transformation in Pakistan provides new opportunities for the economic empowerment of women and it has the potential to bridge gender divide and promote gender equality in both business and public sector in Pakistan.

Transparency International Pakistan highlighted that women empowerment is a cornerstone of TI’s work because you can’t really promote anti-corruption in the public sector and business integrity in the private sector without involving those who constitute more than 50% of our country’s population i.e. women (51%). Mr. Kashif Ali Shaikh, Program Manager TI Pakistan emphasized that it is important that we understand that Business integrity goes well beyond anti-corruption compliance, and touches upon diversity, inclusion and gender equality. He shared that research shows that the “Phenomenon like discrimination, gender pay gap, exclusion from business opportunities, and other types of harassment are all examples of integrity flaws” which affect both the credibility of the company and the internal environment in which the employees work.

Ms. Rabia Azfar Nizami, Member Provincial Assembly (Sindh) attended the seminar as a chief guest. She highlighted that companies need better legal frameworks and policies to promote gender equality at workplace and encourage women employees in the leadership positions. She encouraged businesses and women civil society organizations to continue to advance gender equality agenda through the provision of networking and capacity support for women leaders. It was also highlighted that the digital divide in Pakistan is high, coupled with low penetration of internet. Efforts must be made to enhance access of women at the grassroots level to digital technologies which plays a great role in women empowerment.

The event was followed by hi-tea and lunch.