UN: Digital divide hits women harder in poor countries


Female youth are 13% less likely to own a mobile phone, UNICEF said, ‘limiting their ability to participate in the digital world’. — Bloomberg

UNITED NATIONS, United States: Some 90% of young women and teenage girls in the world’s poorest countries have no access to the Internet, a United Nations report published Wednesday said.

The lack of access – and disparity between the number of girls and boys offline – poses serious risks that women will be left behind economically in an increasingly digitally connected world, the report from UNICEF said.

Adolescent girls and young women are being “shut out when it comes to digital skills”, it said.

About 78% of young men and teenage boys in the poorest countries are offline, according to UNICEF, which in its report examined data usage in 54 mostly low-income nations.

This translates to about 65 million adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 who don’t have access to the Internet, versus some 57 million of their male peers.

“Closing the digital divide between girls and boys is about more than just having access to the Internet and technology. It’s about empowering girls to become innovators, creators, and leaders,” Robert Jenkins, UNICEF director of education, said in a statement.

“If we want to tackle gender gaps in the labour market, especially in science, technology, engineering and math fields, we must start now by helping young people, especially girls, gain digital skills.”

Even in cases when girls had equitable access to traditional educational opportunities, such as math and reading, the report warned, “it does not always translate to digital skills.”

Disparities in access to technology persist even within the same household. In a study of 41 countries, UNICEF found “households are much more likely to provide mobile phones for boys than girls”.

Female youth are 13% less likely to own a mobile phone, UNICEF said, “limiting their ability to participate in the digital world.” – AFP

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Sirius XM found liable in New York lawsuit over subscription cancellations
US Supreme Court tosses case involving securities fraud suit against Facebook
Amazon doubles down on AI startup Anthropic with $4 billion investment
Factbox-Who are bankrupt Northvolt's creditors?
UK should use new powers to probe Apple-Google mobile browser duopoly, report says
EU regulators scrap probe into Apple's e-book rules after complaint was withdrawn
Hyundai recalls over 145,000 electrified US vehicles on loss of drive power
'World of Warcraft' still going strong as it celebrates 20 years
Northvolt CEO steps down, saying group needs up to $1.2 billion
Bitcoin at record highs, sets sights on $100,000

Others Also Read