In a country like Pakistan, where economic indicators are less encouraging, there is a greater need for social-development initiatives that nurture more competitive human-resources, along with investment and efforts to empower the masses and provide them with opportunities to grow and prosper. And when one looks at the role of women in Pakistan, it has been rather restricted. Traditionally, several segments of the community expect women to live as a weaker gender, obscuring them inside the house to perform domestic chores.
To combat a mindset that has held patriarchy in high regard, some of the leading multinational companies have taken it upon themselves to play their part in raising awareness about the rights of women.
One such company is YouTube. It has the power to transform lives and drive stronger equality, ultimately reshaping the narrative for women in Pakistan. These companies believe that no country can progress without unleashing the potential of its female workforce, ensuring gender-equality and providing them with the skills to add value in the social-mainstream. With this vision, the technological infrastructure must be enriched rapidly, with bigger programs to empower the common people.
YouTube has become a powerful tool for challenging negative societal norms, thus fostering a more inclusive environment for women to thrive creatively and professionally.
Pakistani women face big challenges in pursuing education due to socio-cultural issues, which is why the female-literacy rate in the country remains abysmally low at around 50%. The UN ranks Pakistan 135 out of 156 countries in ‘equality in educational attainment’. This emphasizes the need to support women with education and skill-development.
Yet, despite the hurdles, many women in Pakistan have shown great academic and professional performance. These success-stories must be promoted to inspire the youth. YouTube provides a powerful platform for them to express their wisdom and creativity and prove their mettle.
One such story is that of the iron lady’s – Iqra Kanwal – Pakistan’s one of the most viewed female creators on YouTube today. She shines like a beacon of hope for all young girls. Iqra found her voice through YouTube, using which she has been able to access a huge audience by digitally engaging millions of people.
Over the years, she has broken many stereotypes to become a symbol of female empowerment and success. Her story is a testimonial to YouTube’s positive impact on the lives of Pakistanis, including women.
Iqra, a doctor by profession, discovered her passion for creative expression and chose YouTube as her platform of choice. Through her daily vlogs featuring her four sisters and parents, she entertains and empowers her loyal audience. With her captivating and encouraging content, Iqra has become financially independent through the platform, proving that women in Pakistan can explore multiple paths to professional excellence and success, once they have broken free from gender-discrimination and parochial traditions.
Safety and security concerns in Pakistan have also kept the ‘Female Labor-force Participation’ rate very low, currently hovering at around 22% only. The workplace environment and lack of job opportunities are also major barriers. However, with YouTube, Iqra has been able to perform and communicate in secured environments of her choosing to avoid all risks. Technology is enabling these women to contribute meaningfully to the workforce and achieve prosperity.
A gender Pay-Gap of around 34% also exists in Pakistan, highlighting the inequality faced by women. On its part, YouTube promises absolutely equal earning opportunities to qualified and competent content creators, including women.
In one of her messages, Iqra stated: “A Pakistani woman is no less than anyone. She’s an artist, and a skilled person in herself. I want to say to all the women watching my channel: never shy away from your dreams! You must design your own destinies, and show the world your talents through the internet and YouTube.”
Iqra’s words reflect her leadership skills, as she encourages the youth to use platforms like YouTube to realize their full potential. Her success is a catalyst for change in Pakistan, encouraging women to break free from societal constraints and pursue their passions.