“I usually keep my usernames neutral and don’t pick anything that gives away my gender,” she said, adding that she does knowingly because anonymity, she believes, protects her from unnecessary harassment and allows her to maintain a razor sharp focus on the game.
She said hiding her identity “makes the experience smoother” for her. This is not because I am ashamed of being a girl gamer but because it allows me to play without distractions, she clarified.
Tehreem recalls the first time her teammates found out that she was a girl. “The moment people realised I’m a girl, I faced comments ranging from underestimation to outright harassment,” she said. “Sometimes it’s being ignored in team calls, and sometimes it’s very direct. At first it was discouraging and made me avoid voice chat, but over time I learnt to ignore it and focus on the game.”
Aleena, another gamer who goes by the username ‘stoney’, said she too prefers to keep her identity masked. “My gamer name is quite neutral for that very reason to avoid any sort of harassment, and yes, it helps me from getting unwanted attention.” She added that she personally keeps her identifying factors in the dark, and actively blocks or reports users who spam and harass.
Research reveals that the experiences of Tehreem and Aleena are not exceptions but the norm. A 2025 systematic review of esports environments noted that women are often subjected to harassment, stereotyping, and exclusion while adopting appetitive coping strategies, including using male usernames.
Another 2021 research on women gamers revealed that anonymity, in addition to providing women with a layer of security from harassment, gives women a sense of agency to compete and connect, despite restrictive norms.
Masked identities
When asked about the significance of women gamers feeling the need to mask their identity, psychologist Marhama Shams responded that this behaviour is not only typical but also understandable.
“Women often mask their gender online because of negative lived experiences, harassment, sexualisation, and exclusion from spaces simply because they are women,” she explained. “As a result of this, women may use male usernames or hide their gender identity altogether in an attempt to ensure their emotional safety and retain their privacy.”
Industry leaders are well aware of the issue. “This issue has a long-standing historic and societal root cause, as they cause women gamers to adopt male usernames,” observed K2 Gamer Pakistan’s CEO Jamal Qureshi, responding to a question regarding masked identities. “It’s a ‘safe’ way of avoiding the chaos and messy attitudes of male gamers,” he added.
While Aleena shrugs off most toxicity, she acknowledged the systemic barriers that keep women out of esports. “Being a male-dominated field, and how passionate men are about hardcore games, women are usually dismissed for being too ‘noob’ for the game and often blamed for losing a match. Additionally, for a great gaming experience you literally have to empty your pockets for better gear and FPS, so only the most passionate ones go for taking this field to the next level,” she remarked.
Lasting wounds
While masking your identity online may work for some, but it takes an immense psychological toll on the lives of women gamers.
“Masking your identity offers temporary safety, and it comes at a cost,” Shams said. “Women cannot express their true selves. Their confidence and self-worth remain hidden. It reinforces a harmful belief that ‘as a female, I am too weak to put myself out there.’”
Tehreem admits this rings true. “I can focus on strategy and gameplay instead of worrying about sexist remarks,” she said. “The only downside is I can’t always fully express my thoughts or connect with people as myself.”
Talking about the harassment which women experience in these spaces, Shams mentioned that the harassment and exclusion often lead to lasting wounds. “There are very real psychological impacts from harassment and exclusion, such as low self-esteem, stress, depression and anxiety, identity and social problems, and loss of motivation for gaming – it becomes a ‘deterrent’ from something that was once a passion,” she said.
Over time the harm may run deeper. “In the long term, exposure can lead to chronic anxiety and panic, avoidant behaviours, withdrawal from gaming or online communities, and trauma,” Shams explained.
“Trauma is not about the size of the event; it is about the emotional response of the person. Online harassment can evoke trauma that can have lasting psychological impacts.” Cultural messaging also plays a role. “Cultural stereotypes — girls with dolls, boys with cars and games — create a mindset that gaming is ‘not for girls’,” Shams said. This leads to self-doubt, lowered confidence, and negative encounters that discourage women from staying in gaming spaces.
Gaming industry in Pakistan
Over the last few years, Pakistan’s gaming scene has grown significantly, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by Global Politics, with nearly 30 million gamers (approximately 16% of the population) now a part of the industry, the number is expected to reach 50 million by 2026, illustrating how gaming is formed to be a major form of entertainment or social connection. Even with the growth of the industry, women aren’t entering the industry at the same rate as men.
Aleena, who has been gaming since she was five, shared that she has only come across one other Pakistani woman in a random game selection. “We befriended each other so fast,” she said, a reminder of how rare these encounters are.
Speaking about the growth of the gaming industry in Pakistan, Qureshi said it has developed faster than could have been imagined. “The pandemic and post-pandemic were crucial in the transition of gaming into a culture. During the pandemic, people had enough time to spend on egames, and they became addicted to it,” he said.
“It is starting to be recognised in the academic institutions; gaming societies are being formed in higher education institutions, and with the partnerships of both the public and private sectors, esports events are happening in universities across Pakistan.”
Changing trends for women gamers
Qureshi thinks that inclusive policy is necessary to achieve progress. “We should implement egames and tournaments’ rules and regulations and educate the male and female gamers,” he said. He added that academic institutions, parents and educators also have a role to play in creating a safe environment.
There are, however, some promising signs. Tehreem mentioned that some Discord groups also exist for Pakistani girl gamers, and some local esports tournaments have shifted focus to girls, though “it is still small in comparison to male activity.”
Industry examples also indicate that there can be progress. According to a Al Jazeera report, We R Play Studios, among the largest game developers in Pakistan, reports that women make up 42% of the workforce there, which is three times the national average of IT.
Qureshi said that female-focused esports championships at school, college and university level are important to increase the pool of female gamer participants. Qureshi also noted the need for national-level events and incentives for women participants.
Tehreem is cautiously optimistic. “There are many girls who are talented, but then they stop pursuing gaming because of harassment, or they do not see a career here. If the community and industry develop to support women more openly, then it is possible.”
For Shams, the path forward is collective: “It’s not just a girl’s problem. It’s a boy’s problem as well—they need to learn respect.”
If women are to play as themselves without fear, Pakistan’s fast-growing gaming culture will need to address the biases it has inherited from the offline world — and finally make room for everyone at the table.
*PUBG is a popular online multiplayer tactical game where up to 100 players parachute onto an island, scavenge for weapons and equipment, and fight to be the last player or team standing in a shrinking playable area.
The story has been edited by Yasal Munim who works as Senior Manager Programs at Media Matters for Democracy.
