The Gender Digital Divide: Some Elements to Consider

Identifier:  imarina:9525300

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9525300

Authors:  Corbella Domenech, Teresa

Abstract:
Connected and unconnected individuals are not evenly distributed by gender, nor are those with safe, satisfying, enriching, productive, and affordable online experiences, or those who develop digital products. Digital inclusion is expected to benefit individuals by offering learning, social, and economic opportunities, as well as society as a whole through economic growth and equity. Gender disparities in digital technology use are pronounced in low and lower-middle-income countries with limited access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). There are significant gender differences among those who develop this technology, partly due to fewer girls and young women studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), especially evident in ICT. Additionally, women perceive higher risks when using the internet, which can hinder their online participation. This chapter emphasizes the importance of bridging the gender digital divide, examines its causes, and presents data on the aforementioned digital divide components.