According to a World Bank Report, only 11pc of women in Pakistan utilize banking services and are four times less mobile than men. Standard Chartered Pakistan launched SC Women in Tech in 2019 to tap the economic potential of women in the workforce, which estimates indicate can boost the economy up to 30pc by empowering women and girls to expand their skills, get access to information, finance and assets.
SC Women in Tech offers women-led startups a chance to enter a comprehensive mentorship programme, with the winners receiving a seed grant of PKR 1.5 million. In our third year, our challenge was to encourage women, especially working mothers, to enter the programme.