Skilling Women for the Digital Era

Payneer’s 2020 Freelancer Income Report 1 highlights that globally women’s participation in the freelance workforce has been gradually gaining momentum over the years. Though a gender gap exists in the freelancing world with female freelancers earning on average 84% of what male freelancers earn. This compared to the gender gap that exists in the traditional job market where women earn 64% of what their male counterparts earn, is smaller. Freelancing can offer a better platform for higher income for many women.

In Pakistan, women’s labour force participation stands at only 23% even though women make up 48 % of the country’s population2 (World Bank, 2021). Additionally, as work becomes more digital the gender gap translates into a digital divide as well. This process has accelerated due to Covid 19 pandemic, which has limited formal employment opportunities and made work from home a reality. Women’s mobility is a big barrier to their access to job opportunities, for many women, working outside of their home due to cultural restrictions and household responsibilities is not a realistic option. Fears of safety also play a part in many women’s preference to work from home.

Women need economic opportunities that help them overcome the digital divide, offer self-employment opportunities, and allow them to work from home safely during the pandemic.

PSDF SOLUTIONS

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) partnered with Extreme Commerce to deliver a free skills training course for women in Punjab to become Amazon Virtual Assistants. This training would help women gain the necessary skills to provide administrative services in the areas of social media, real estate, research, e-commerce, data entry, book-keeping and marketing. Amazon Virtual Assistants can work as independent contractors and offer diverse services to clients around the world. It would also give women the opportunity to gain new skills that will connect them with the global digital market and allow them to earn an income in the comfort of their homes.

KEY INSIGHTS

Online work that allows women to work on their own time & from home helps to ease challenges that women often face such as limited mobility, safety, and domestic responsibilities.
Women are eager to embrace the digital economy. Thus, more trainings should be offered in this field.

BRINGING WOMEN ONBOARD

PSDF ran a targeted social media campaign to raise awareness on the course and encouraged women to apply for this training. Applicants went through a rigorous selection process to be part of the training. They were assessed and short-listed based on their knowledge of E-commerce, proficiency in English and their commitment to course completion.

Mentorship: PSDF staff mentored the Amazon VA course trainees to boost motivation and engage with trainees to address any queries regarding the course. Sessions on enhancing communication skills were conducted. A WhatsApp group was made to stay in contact with the trainees to guide them throughout the course.

RESPONSE TO THE COURSE

Over 3000 women applied for the pilot course from across 23 districts in Punjab. The popularity of the training demonstrates the desire of women to upgrade and learn new skills to play an active role in carving out their economic future. It highlights the relevance and the need in the market for these types of skills training. The Amazon VA Course empowered the women with the technical and soft skills they needed to earn an income and connect with a global clientele. The success of this pilot programme has led to the launch of a full-scale programme by PSDF, under its brand pillar e-tayyar and aims to train over 500 youth.

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