Biography of Maria Umar: Founder of The Women's Digital League-Entrepreneur
Biography of Maria Umar:
Early Life and Career Transition
Maria Umar, hailing from Bannu, Pakistan, pursued her
Master’s in English Literature from Frontier College in Peshawar. Her
professional journey began in the education sector, but after facing
gender-based employment challenges, she transitioned into the digital realm.
This shift was driven by a desire to create economic opportunities for women
like herself who faced mobility and societal constraints.
Founding Women’s Digital League (WDL)
In 2009, Maria founded Women’s Digital League (WDL),
Pakistan’s first fully virtual platform dedicated to providing digital literacy
training and remote work opportunities to women. WDL connects skilled women
freelancers with global clients, enabling them to earn independently from home.
This initiative has empowered thousands of women across Pakistan, breaking
geographical and social barriers through freelancing.
Transformative Moments and Achievements
Maria's participation in the Project Artemis/Goldman Sachs
10,000 Women Program was a pivotal moment in her career. Additionally, she
reached the finale of the GIST’s “I Dare” business plan competition, which
further encouraged her entrepreneurial endeavors. Her work has been recognized
internationally, with WDL winning the Early Stage Award in Changemakers’ “Women
Powering Work” competition and being featured in Google Pakistan's campaign for
innovative technology use.
Recognition and Impact
Maria Umar's leadership has garnered international acclaim,
with WDL partnering with organizations like Facebook and UpWork for impactful
social projects. She has been instrumental in bridging the gender gap in
Pakistan’s digital workforce, exemplifying how social entrepreneurship can
drive positive societal change.
Building a Successful Social Enterprise
Under Maria Umar's leadership, WDL has flourished into a
thriving social enterprise, connecting thousands of freelancers with clients
across 15 countries. The platform offers diverse opportunities in fields such
as graphic design, content creation, social media management, and web
development, empowering women to build sustainable careers from their homes.
Beyond WDL
Maria Umar's influence extends beyond WDL. She has
co-founded several organizations, including the Pakistan Freelancers
Association and the Digital League, further advocating for women's rights and
education in Pakistan. Her multifaceted approach underscores her commitment to
fostering inclusive economic growth and social development.
Personal Journey and Empowerment
Maria's personal journey reflects her resilience and
determination. After experiencing setbacks in her career and battling
post-partum depression, she turned to online freelancing platforms like oDesk
and Freelancer, which opened doors to global opportunities. Her transformative
journey from dependence to independence resonates deeply as she continues to
empower women across Pakistan.
Inspiring Future Generations
Through her work and advocacy, Maria Umar is not only
transforming individual lives but also paving the way for future generations of
Pakistani women to thrive in the digital economy. Her story of leveraging
digital platforms for economic independence serves as a beacon of hope and
empowerment for women worldwide.
Mission and Impact
Through WDL, Maria Umar has facilitated employment in
diverse digital fields such as graphic design, content creation, social media
management, and web development. Her platform not only enhances economic
opportunities for women but also promotes gender equality and empowerment in
the digital arena.
Advocacy and Recognition
Maria Umar is a staunch advocate for women’s rights and has
garnered recognition for her impactful work. She has been instrumental in
bridging the gender gap in Pakistan’s digital workforce, exemplifying how
social entrepreneurship can drive positive societal change.
Future Vision
Continuing her mission to empower Pakistani women, Maria
Umar remains dedicated to expanding WDL’s reach and impact. Her vision includes
fostering a supportive ecosystem where women can thrive professionally and
contribute meaningfully to the global digital economy.
A Day in the Life of Maria Umar: Balancing Passion and
Purpose
Morning Chaos and Routine
Maria Umar starts her day in Karachi with the unpredictable
challenge of waking up her 14-year-old daughter for school. Despite the chaos,
ensuring her daughter is up and ready sets a positive tone. Afterward, Maria
indulges in a brief return to bed, finding solace in the small victory of
making her bed as soon as she rises—an anchor of order in her otherwise
eventful days.
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Navigating Work and Wardrobe
Transitioning from her casual days in the development sector
to the corporate world, Maria faces the daily dilemma of selecting the right
outfit, now that formality demands a proper wardrobe. Her morning ritual often
includes commentary on social media platforms like Twitter, where she candidly
critiques services she uses daily, like Careem and Uber.
Passion and Purpose at Work
Maria's professional fulfillment peaks at the fintech-based
social enterprise she founded, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation. Engaged in financial inclusion projects, she relishes the
intellectual stimulation of research, strategizing, and meeting
beneficiaries—women micro-entrepreneurs in Lahore's low-income areas.
Meaningful Encounters and Reflections
Interacting with these women amplifies Maria's dedication to
women's rights and empowerment. Their resilience and stories of overcoming
adversity inspire Maria deeply, prompting regular reflections on the impact of
her work and aspirations to do more for marginalized women in Pakistan.
Balancing Life and Leisure
With flexible work hours, Maria ensures she's home early to
appease her displeased cat, Sher Khan, and attend to her social enterprise's
correspondence. Evenings are for personal reflection, where Maria contemplates
expanding WDL's services to better support older women entering digital
freelancing—a segment often overlooked in skills training.
Timeline summarizing Maria Umar's journey and
achievements
Early Life and Education
- Born
and Raised: Maria Umar is born and raised in Bannu, Pakistan.
- Undergraduate
Education: Pursues a degree in English Literature from Frontier
College in Peshawar.
Corporate Sector Experience
- Career
Start: Gains experience in the education sector before transitioning
to entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurial Journey
- 2009:
Maria Umar founds Women's Digital League (WDL) in Pakistan, driven by a
mission to empower women through digital work opportunities.
Key Achievements and Recognition
- 2014:
WDL wins the GIST Tech-I Award.
- 2018:
WDL receives the She Loves Tech Pakistan Award.
- 2019:
WDL partners with Facebook and UpWork for impactful social projects.
Expansion and Impact
- Global
Reach: Connects thousands of freelancers across 15 countries, offering
opportunities in fields like graphic design, content creation, and web
development.
Advocacy and Co-founding
- Beyond
WDL: Co-founds the Pakistan Freelancers Association and the Digital
League, advocating for women's rights and education in Pakistan.
Personal Journey and Challenges
- Career
Shift: Overcomes setbacks and post-partum depression to thrive in
online freelancing platforms, inspiring her mission with WDL.
Current Vision and Future Goals
- Continued
Impact: Dedicated to expanding WDL's reach and fostering an inclusive
ecosystem for women in the digital economy.
This timeline highlights Maria Umar's evolution from her education and early career to founding WDL, her significant achievements in empowering women through digital innovation, and her ongoing commitment to advancing women's rights and economic opportunities in Pakistan and beyond.
