National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan actively participated in the 2nd Pakistan Girls Empowerment Forum held in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan and Pakistan Girl Guides Association. The forum gathered over 100 girl guides, trainers, and guiders from across the country including Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. It served as a platform to inspire young girls with skills, confidence, and awareness needed to step into leadership roles while promoting their potential to contribute positively to communities.
As part of its role, National CERT organized a training session focused on online safety and cyber readiness, ensuring participants understood the importance of digital protection in today’s interconnected environment. The session was led by Director Capacity Building, Khurram Javed, who emphasized real-life issues faced by young women in the online space, including scams, cyberbullying, and harassment. He also guided them on responsible use of social media as a tool for empowerment and advocacy. The interactive nature of the session encouraged active participation, with attendees eager to adopt practical approaches that can enhance their ability to engage online more securely. Additionally, Zaheema Iqbal, Assistant Director Advisory and Communications, contributed to organizing the event while strengthening collaborations with partner organizations to expand the reach of digital empowerment for young women across Pakistan.
National CERT’s presence extended into the closing ceremony where Khurram Javed delivered a keynote address alongside representatives from UNICEF Pakistan, Pakistan Girl Guides Association, and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW). In his address, he reminded the participants that empowering girls must be considered a continuous effort and one that demands collective responsibility. He urged them to become advocates of online safety within their communities, highlighting the need to counter cyber abuse and promote a secure and inclusive digital environment. By sharing these insights, he reinforced the message that digital literacy and responsible practices are vital for sustainable empowerment.
The event reflected how collective initiatives can address both social and technological challenges, encouraging young girls to become more confident in using digital tools. Through such training programs, National CERT aims to promote resilience in cyberspace while supporting gender-focused efforts that strengthen awareness and safety among youth. Its continued engagement in initiatives like the Girls Empowerment Forum reflects a commitment to raising awareness, fostering digital literacy, and encouraging gender inclusion in building a secure online ecosystem. By partnering with organizations such as UNICEF and Pakistan Girl Guides Association, National CERT is ensuring that young girls across the country are equipped not just with leadership skills, but also with knowledge to safeguard themselves against online risks. This approach allows the participants to carry forward the message of cyber safety, enabling them to play an active role in shaping safer communities both digitally and socially.
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