The Punjab government is training 27,000 rural women in digital skills through one of Pakistan’s most ambitious women’s empowerment initiatives. The Punjab government has unveiled a major digital empowerment initiative under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aiming to equip 27,000 rural women with IT and digital skills.
Branded as “Mein Digital – Empowering Rural Women,” the program provides six months of free online IT training, desktop computers, internet access, and a monthly stipend. PITB and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) have signed an MoU for the ‘Mein Digital – Empowering Rural Women Program’ under the Chief Minister’s Skilled Punjab Initiative. Now in its third round, the program has expanded from five initial districts across Punjab.
What Is the Mein Digital Program?
The Mein Digital program is a flagship initiative under CM Maryam Nawaz’s Skilled Punjab scheme. As a training partner, PITB will deliver structured online digital training and mentorship via a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS). PSDF will play a pivotal role in ensuring program effectiveness by recruiting, verifying, and supporting trainees, and managing the overall implementation and monitoring of the initiative.
The Punjab government has launched a new digital empowerment initiative aimed at helping educated women from rural areas earn a stable income through technology-based work. The program focuses on equipping women with practical digital skills that can be used for online employment, freelancing, and remote work opportunities, allowing them to earn from home while supporting their families. This initiative reflects the provincial government’s growing emphasis on women’s economic participation and digital inclusion, particularly in underserved rural communities where employment opportunities are limited.
Become part of an online class where you will learn 480 hours of specialized skills that will help you to be a digital entrepreneur. The training runs entirely online, allowing women to study from home without disrupting household responsibilities.
Who Can Apply?
The program targets educated women in rural Punjab. Applicants must be women residing in rural areas of Punjab and must have completed at least 16 years of education. This academic requirement ensures that participants have the foundational knowledge needed to benefit from advanced digital training.
The age limit for applicants ranges from 21 to 40 years. In addition, candidates must pass an entry test, which will assess their aptitude and readiness for the training program.
Key eligibility requirements include:
- Gender: Women only
- Residence: Rural district of Punjab
- Age: 21 to 40 years
- Education: Minimum 16 years (BA, BSc, BS, MA, MSc, or equivalent)
- Selection: Merit-based entry test conducted by chartered universities
Government officials have emphasized that the selection process will be transparent and merit-based. The entry test and application review are designed to identify women with the potential and commitment required to complete the training successfully and apply their skills effectively afterward.
What Skills Are Taught?
IT, web development, coding, digital marketing, e-commerce, social media management, graphic design & multimedia, freelancing, remote work, data entry, office automation and cyber security skills will be taught, the department will also provide a certificate and job links on completion of the training.
The curriculum also includes English language training, content creation, selling on e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Daraz, and strategies for success on freelancing websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Benefits and Financial Support
The program removes all major barriers that typically prevent rural women from accessing professional training.
Monthly Stipend and Allowances
Participants will receive 6 months of instructor-led, certified digital training, a monthly stipend of PKR 5,000, and an internet & device allowance of PKR 7,000 to ensure they have everything they need to succeed.
This financial support is intended to cover basic expenses and reduce financial stress for trainees. Officials have stated that this stipend plays an important role in maintaining attendance and motivation, especially for women who may otherwise need to prioritize household responsibilities or unpaid labor.
Free Equipment
As part of the program, women will receive scholarships during training and be provided desktop computers and free Wi-Fi devices upon completion.
Equipment, including desktops and internet devices, remains the property of PSDF until successful completion of the program. An affidavit must be signed upon receiving the equipment to ensure accountability.5
Certification and Career Support
When participants finish, they are given certificates, and the government will help them pay for international IT certifications from companies like Microsoft, Google, or AWS. This boosts their reputation and job prospects in both local and global markets.
Beyond training, the program offers continuous mentorship, career guidance, and pathways to freelancing, remote work, and e-commerce, enabling women to gain financial independence while contributing to their families and communities.
How to Apply
Registration is completely online and free. Applicants should follow these steps:
- Visit the official PSDF website at psdf.org.pk
- Click on the “Mein Digital” or “Empowering Rural Women” section
- Fill out the online application form with personal and educational details
- Enter your CNIC and phone number to receive an OTP for verification
- Submit the form and wait for the online assessment invitation
Applicants undergo an online initial assessment to evaluate their aptitude and readiness for the program. Candidates are shortlisted based on their test performance, ensuring fair and transparent selection.
Where the Program Has Launched
Chief Minister Digital Skills Program initiative is being implemented in three stages, beginning on February 15th, April 15th, and June 15th, 2025.
Program started in Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Gujranwala. The current phase of the program offers 2,000 seats, making the selection process competitive.
As of January 2026, PSDF opened Round 3 applications with a deadline of January 20, 2026. Punjab Skills Development Fund’s Mein Digital program equips 200 educated rural women with desktops and internet access in the initial rollout, with additional batches expanding across Punjab’s rural districts.
WDD Expanded Digital Training for All Punjab Women
In January 2026, the Women Development Department (WDD) launched a broader version of the digital skills program. The Women Development Department Punjab is offering a 100% free 6-month Online Skills Development Course for women across Punjab. Course Duration: 6 Months · Training Mode: Online Classes Only · Course Modules: English Language | Digital Skills | Content Creation | E-Commerce | Soft Skills · Facilities Provided: LAPTOP | INTERNET DEVICE | INTERNET PACKAGE | MONTHLY STIPEND (PKR 5,000)
This expanded program includes approximately 70% rural women and 30% urban women, broadening access beyond the original rural-only criteria. Women can apply through wdd.punjab.gov.pk/DigitalTraining.
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has launched a digital skills training program for women, aiming to help them gain modern tech skills and access online earning opportunities. Under the initiative, women will receive training in courses such as E-commerce with Artificial Intelligence and AI Digital Marketing with Freelancing. This paid PITB program complements the free Mein Digital initiative.
What Comes After Training?
After completing online digital and IT training, rural women can also start freelancing, tech firm or online business from home. Online training of rural women will eliminate barriers of distance, women will be able to earn a respectable and dignified job without leaving home.
Upon completion, women are expected to have the skills necessary to earn up to Rs. 30,000 per month, depending on their performance and level of engagement.
Graduates must maintain at least 80% attendance and complete all modules and practical assignments to qualify for certification. Participants are required to maintain at least 80% attendance in all training sessions. Completion of all modules and practical assignments is mandatory to qualify for certification.5
The new program builds on earlier efforts by the Punjab government to promote IT education and digital skills among women. Previous initiatives have shown that women trained in digital skills can successfully earn online and compete in national and international markets. By shifting focus toward rural areas, the government aims to close the urban-rural digital divide and ensure that economic growth reaches all segments of society.
For rural women across Punjab, this program represents more than training. It is a structured pathway from isolation to economic independence — and the government is investing in hardware, stipends, and mentorship to make it work.