Breaking barriers for a more inclusive workspace for women
Our internship programs are designed to support women’s empowerment and inclusion in the digital economy.
In Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, women face significant challenges in breaking through barriers to succeed in male-dominated workspaces. Issues such as mobility constraints, remote locations, and limited agency in decision-making contribute to their struggles in securing employment. According to a World Bank report on women’s workforce participation, “85 percent of working-age women in Peshawar believe that women should work for pay, but only 7.6 percent of women can freely decide to work for pay outside the house.”
Additionally, a diversity and inclusion report shared by P@SHA highlights that women make up only 16% of the workforce in Pakistan, prompting concerns and necessitating prompt responses from relevant authorities.
Recognizing these challenges, Code for Pakistan, with support from its program partners, initiated women-focused internship programs. Through these programs, women interns acquire technical skills, gaining hands-on experience working on government projects and participating in an agile development and deployment process. Our interns receive one-on-one mentorship, access to female role models, and opportunities to establish industry connections crucial for their transition into the digital workplace.
The program curriculum is tailored to empower interns for the next stage of their careers, offering a unique learning experience with blended approaches, combining online resources with practical hands-on projects. The programs also provide personalized mentorship and career counseling from industry professionals, ensuring interns receive expert guidance and support throughout their journey. Furthermore, interns have the opportunity to enhance their technical and soft skills through a comprehensive learning curriculum.
The KP Women Civic Digital Internship is a six-month remote program in partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board, for women graduates offering tech skills and hands-on experience in Information Technology.
Interns work on digital solutions to improve public service and citizen engagement, through self-paced learning, online mentorship, and real-world projects with government departments.
97%
Graduation Rate
65
Speaker Sessions
60%
Employment Rate
56
Women Upskilled
“The skills and experience I gained during the internship opened up so many new work opportunities. Working on real projects alongside industry professionals and government departments strengthened my portfolio and connected me with potential clients.”
— Bisma
“The KP Women Civic Digital Internship greatly boosted my confidence, allowing me to apply and expand my skills in a supportive environment.”
— Shahirah
“The one-on-one mentorship during the internship was invaluable. This internship helped me grow both professionally and broaden my technical knowledge in meaningful ways.”
— Pakeeza
Learn more about this specific program: KP Women Civic Internship
