Title: Empowering and Investing in Women: How digital inclusion can narrow the gender divide
Date: 11 March 2024
Time: 10:00 AM EST/ 3:00PM CET
Format: Hosted on the WSIS platform & live-streamed on Facebook
Registration: Click here
The Broadband Commission is dedicated to closing the gender digital divide to ensure inclusive, universal meaningful connectivity.
Since establishing its 7th Advocacy Target on Gender Equality in 2013, the Commission has cited the need for gender parity in access to digital technologies, digital skills and opportunities for over 10 years.
Grounded in its gender-focused policy recommendations from previous reports, the Commission is coming together during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) to host a multistakeholder discussion on action needed to close the gender gap.
In alignment with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day and the CSW68, the dialogue will center on empowering women through innovative financing models, access to digital infrastructure, public services and digital skills education.
Moderator
Ms. Sylvia Poll, Head, Digital Society Division at International Telecommunication Union
Speakers
H.E. Ms. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ghana & Broadband Commissioner
Mr. Cedric Wachholz, Chief, Section for Digital Policy and Digital Transformation, UNESCO
Ms. Hélène Molinier, Senior Advisor on Digital Gender Equality Cooperation and the Thematic Lead for the GEF Action Coalition on Innovation and Technology, UN Women
Ms. Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion, Mobile for Development (M4D), GSMA
Ms. Giuseppina Curreli, Director of Political Relations and Education Programs, Millicom
Mr Benoit Louvel, WSIS Gender Trendsetter and Customised Solution Front Office Director, Orange Business Services, Orange Business Services.
Advocacy Target 7
The Broadband Commission introduced the seventh Advocacy Target in 2013, drawing attention to the importance of gender equality among Internet users, so that the benefits of broadband Internet reach all. This is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5: to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Where are we now?
According to the latest ITU estimates, 70% of all men were using the Internet in 2023 compared to 65% of women. Gender parity increased from 0.90 in 2019 to 0.92 in 2023. Some regions and income groups have achieved gender parity in Internet usage, including some among high-income countries, SIDS, Latin America and the Caribbeans, CIS countries, and Europe.
However, despite increases in gender parity, women account for a disproportionate – and increasing – share of the global offline population. In fact, women now outnumber male non-Internet users by 17%, up from 11% in 2019.
The webinar will discuss the next steps to close the gender divide and hear from Commissioners on how they are putting these recommendations into action to empower and invest in women.
Recent Reports & Resources
“Our new data shows the mobile internet gender gap has narrowed slightly, but there is still much work to be done” Read more on GSMA’s website.
