Nearly 8 in 10 Pakistani Women Workers Face Gender Bias in the Workplace: Report

Nearly 8 in 10 or 79 percent of Pakistani women entrepreneurs face gender bias in the workplace, yet they are leading digital transformation across the small business sector. According to the Visa–HBL Women SMB Digitization Index 2025, women-led firms are becoming increasingly tech-driven. 82 percent of these companies are embracing digitization, and 60 percent accept card payments. About 59 percent now operate both online and offline, with digital channels contributing 51 percent of total revenue. Despite these gains, financing remains a hurdle. 62 percent rely on personal savings, while 26 percent still struggle to access formal funding. Financial independence is the top motivator for 39 percent of respondents. 48 percent of women entrepreneurs have business education, and 70 percent of women-led businesses feature women in senior roles. Meanwhile, many women still face stereotypes. According to the data, 30 percent are perceived as less confident in negotiations and 29 percent as less capable of scaling their businesses. Women entrepreneurs are also showing strong awareness of cybersecurity, with nearly three in ten taking proactive steps against digital threats. Key payment security priorities include employee training (57 percent), data protection (52 percent), and advanced encryption (54 percent). The report highlights that women-owned businesses are deeply rooted in community development. This means that 85 percent prioritize local hiring and 77 percent source locally.