‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,’ is the theme of the 2023 UN International Women’s Day.
This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.
The impact of the digital gender gap on growing economic and social inequalities needs to be investigated.
Digital technology has become indispensable in our daily lives. Online experiences and opportunities are also important for children’s and young people’s development in a variety of areas, including: online education, access to formal and informal learning; access to health and well-being information and support; being able to engage with their own creative and cultural practices; expressing their ideas and opinions; for leisure, play, and connecting with peers; and finding employment, career information, and entrepreneurship.
Nonetheless, there remains a gender digital divide: girls are disadvantaged in terms of digital adoption, have lower levels of access to and usage of digital technology than boys, and often do not profit as much from digital technology as boys.
A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology, and digital education can raise women and girls’ knowledge of their rights and civic engagement.
Advances in digital technology provide enormous opportunity to address development and humanitarian concerns, as well as to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Regrettably, the digital revolution’s potential also carry the risk of perpetuating current patterns of gender inequity. Increasing gaps in digital abilities and access to technology are becoming more visible, with women falling behind as a result of this digital gender divide.
As a result, inclusive and transformational technology, as well as digital education, are critical for a sustainable future.
