DigitALL : Innovation and technology for gender equality
“We are witnessing an unprecedented explosion of the digital evolution. The digital age has generated huge opportunities for the empowerment of women and girls.
However, this is also creating an equal divide among the genders. Women and girls are under-represented. As our daily lives become increasingly digitized, gender gaps in the digital world will further widen. Adoption is higher in cities and metropolitan areas than in rural and suburban areas. Statistics have shown that marginalized groups such as older women, rural women, and women with disabilities face significant barriers in connectivity. Stereotypes in terms of educational choices, choice of occupation, and gender bias continue to be prevalent in our society.
In the technology sector globally, women not only occupy fewer positions, but they also face a gender pay gap of 21 per cent. Concentrated efforts are required from the government, businesses, civil society and women’s organizations to devise policies that will overcome the barriers for women’s digital access. It’s time to invest in women’s empowerment and enable them to be part of the digital revolution for a more inclusive society.
Sustainable growth can be achieved only if women and girls have a central role to play in leading the new age digital revolution.”
