In this latest series of articles, we publish interviews of women working as professionals or students in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women’s participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Sana Abbas. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
I’m Sana Abbas, a technology professional passionate about creating pathways for women in tech. My journey began with CodeGirls Karachi, where I developed my foundational skills. I’ve also completed a Data Science bootcamp with Quick Start and earned a Data Engineering Certification through Karachi AI.
I worked for two years at Integration Xperts in a corporate role, gaining valuable industry experience. Currently, I serve as Lead Asia at Code Blossom, a non-profit organization dedicated to women’s empowerment in technology. My daily responsibilities involve guiding participants through their learning journeys and handling operational aspects of our programs.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
My aspirations center around scaling Code Blossom’s impact across the globe, especially in Asia, creating more inclusive tech education opportunities for underrepresented women. By building sustainable educational pathways, I hope to increase women’s economic independence through tech careers. The ripple effect of our work will transform communities by increasing diversity in tech workplaces and inspiring younger girls to pursue STEM education, ultimately contributing to a more innovative and inclusive tech ecosystem throughout Asia.
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
I’m proud of my journey from program participant at Code Girls to Lead Asia at Code Blossom. My data science and engineering certifications represent significant personal growth and commitment to continuous learning.
As a mother of 2 boys living in a joint family, I’m especially proud of successfully balancing personal and professional responsibilities. Juggling these roles isn’t always easy, but thanks to my supportive family and understanding boss, I’ve been able to thrive in both spheres. This balance demonstrates that women can excel professionally while honoring family commitments.
I’m also proud of pushing myself to gain technical knowledge while developing leadership skills, proving that women can excel in both technical expertise and organizational leadership.
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
My best career decision was specializing in data science and engineering. This choice opened numerous professional doors while allowing me to work on projects with social impact. The decision to join Code Blossom in a leadership capacity has been equally transformative. It’s allowed me to combine technical knowledge with my passion for education and mentorship. Working in a non-profit focused on women’s empowerment has brought purpose to my career beyond what I might have found in a purely corporate environment, while still allowing me to grow professionally and make a meaningful difference in the lives of many women.
5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?
My most valuable lesson is that progress isn’t always linear; sometimes setbacks provide the most critical learning opportunities.
I’ve recognized the power of community, the collective strength of women supporting each other repeatedly proves more effective than trying to overcome barriers individually. I’ve learned that leadership means amplifying others’ voices rather than focusing solely on personal success. Patience and persistence are essential when working for systemic change, and ofcourse celebrating small victories.
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by several remarkable women who have directly impacted my journey. Marion Schleifer, co-founder of Code Blossom, stands out as my mentor who has helped me in ways I can’t even imagine. Her vision and leadership have shaped not only the organization but my own approach to empowering women in technology.
Faiza Yousuf, founder of WomenInTechPK and co-founder of CodeGirls, has been a constant support throughout my career development. Her pioneering work in creating platforms for women in Pakistan has opened doors for countless professionals like myself, and I can’t thank her enough for her guidance and encouragement.
I’m also inspired by Sadaf Behlim, my data science instructor, whose extensive knowledge is both commendable and unbelievable. Despite her expertise, she remains down-to-earth and humble with everyone she works with.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
Over the past five years, I’ve observed encouraging progress in Pakistan’s acceptance of career-oriented women in technology. More families support their daughters’ education, and companies increasingly recognize the value of diverse teams.
However, significant barriers remain. We need more flexible work policies that accommodate women’s often disproportionate family responsibilities. Remote work opportunities should be maintained as they’ve proven particularly beneficial for women balancing multiple roles.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The next generation of women will struggle with keeping up with fast-changing technology while still dealing with ongoing gender bias. As artificial intelligence and automation transform the industry, women must ensure they’re not left behind in acquiring these cutting-edge skills.
Another significant challenge will be balancing the pressure to constantly upskill with personal well-being. The tech industry’s pace can lead to burnout, disproportionately impacting those facing additional barriers.
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
If I could change one thing about the tech industry, I would change how we measure success. Right now, the industry values speed and individual achievements more than teamwork and positive social impact.
This change would help fix many problems in tech, including the lack of women and minorities, and ethical issues. By redefining what makes technology ‘successful,’ we can create tech that’s more focused on people and their real needs.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
WomenInTechPK should continue its excellent work building mentorship networks that connect experienced professionals with emerging talent. These relationships have been invaluable for helping women like me navigate career challenges in Pakistan’s tech industry. I’ve personally benefited from the community they’ve fostered, and I hope they keep expanding these connections to reach even more women, especially in underserved areas. With these successful initiatives, WomenInTechPK will continue making a tremendous difference for women technologists across Pakistan.
You can follow Sana Abbas using her profile below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
