GENDER EQUALITYSOCIAL PROTECTION
We celebrate International Women’s Day annually on March 8th to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. This year’s theme is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, highlighting the importance of bridging the gender gap in access to technology and innovation for women across the world.
Technology and innovation are playing an increasingly significant role in our lives, and the use of these tools has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate. From smartphones to social media, technology has revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. However, despite the immense benefits technology brings, there is still a significant gender gap in access to technology and innovation.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day highlights the need for equal access to technology and innovation for women worldwide. The digital divide is a significant issue that affects women and girls disproportionately. According to the Mobile Gender Gap Report 2020 by GSMA, in all Asian and African countries surveyed for their report, women are significantly less likely than men to own a smartphone. Even in markets with a relatively small mobile gender gap, such as Algeria where the mobile ownership gender gap is just six per cent, the gap widens significantly for smartphone ownership, with 55 per cent of women owning a smartphone compared to 68 per cent of men.
At African Renaissance, we believe that bridging the digital divide is crucial for achieving gender equality, as technology plays a significant role in enabling women to participate fully in the economy and society. With technology, women can access education and training, connect with others and gain access to information and resources that can help them make better decisions about their lives.
In addition to increasing access to technology and innovation, it is also essential to address the gender biases that exist within the technology industry itself. Women are underrepresented in the technology sector, and the industry has been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion. Addressing these issues will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, leaders and us as individuals.
International Women’s Day provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations worldwide to come together and work towards creating a more equitable and just world for women. This year’s theme of DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality highlights the importance of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that women have equal access to technology and innovation. By doing so, we can enable women to participate fully in the economy and society and help create a more prosperous and equitable world for all!
