Zarqa Khan
Project Coordinator for Women's Economic Empowerment in (UN Women Pakistan)
Why did you decide on a career at the UN?
I chose a career at the United Nations because it embodies the values I deeply believe in equality, dignity, and global solidarity. The UN offers a platform where innovation and empathy intersect, enabling professionals to create scalable, people-centered solutions for those too often left behind.
At UN Women Pakistan, I have been able to fuse cutting-edge technology with social impact, deploying artificial intelligence, digital fabrication, and inclusive design to advance gender equality, disability inclusion, and economic resilience. Through initiatives such as AI-powered prosthetic limbs for rural women, I’m able to transform innovation into empowerment and ensure every woman, regardless of background or ability, can thrive in a digital future.
What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?
My favorite initiative at the United Nations is the AI-powered prosthetic limb project, implemented in collaboration with Bioniks Technologies under the UN Women’s Innovative Grants Programme. The project used 3D printers and scanners, digital modeling, and artificial intelligence to design personalized prosthetic limbs for rural women amputees in Sindh Province of Pakistan, restoring their mobility, dignity, and economic independence.
I led the initiative end-to-end, conceptualizing the idea, managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, leading outreach and beneficiary selection, and ensuring inclusive and ethical implementation. The project’s transformative use of assistive and frontier technology earned it a shortlisting for the 2025 UN Secretary-General Awards under the category 'Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities', demonstrating how innovation can drive social change and gender equality.
Further details about the project are available on UN Women Pakistan’s official platforms below:
What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?
My advice to women and girls is to be bold in pursuing technology, not just as a career, but as a platform for making a meaningful impact. Stay curious, keep learning, and use innovation to solve real-world challenges. Prioritize inclusion and accessibility, especially for women and persons with disabilities, and remember that your unique perspective can redefine the future of tech.