Women IGF Summit | IGF 2023

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Baratang Miya

The analysis reveals a stark gender disparity in digital spaces, a phenomenon particularly prominent in Africa where a mere 15% of the population have proper access to the internet. Among those, a significant majority are men, indicating a deep-rooted gender gap in the digital landscape of the continent. The absence of women’s voices presents a prevalent issue in both political and digital discourse, undermining the premise of information democratisation. The lack of leadership opportunities for women in tech spaces further exacerbates this imbalance.

Progress has been observed in arenas such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), characterised by an emerging focus on women’s presence in leadership roles that help shape the digital platform. Despite such strides, challenges persist. A significant facet of these predicaments lies in the widespread digital illiteracy and limited understanding of technology’s benefits, reflecting slow technology adoption across Africa. Alarmingly, 85% of the African population remains unaware of their ‘rights’ outlined by the IGF, primarily due to their restricted access to the internet. In some countries, women’s access to the internet is extraordinarily low, at around 12% compared to their male counterparts. The need for comprehensive efforts to enhance digital infrastructure, elevate literacy levels, and implement capacity-building measures is crucial to usher more women into the digital domain.

However, not all is grim. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a welcome increase in the number of women embracing the ICT sector. The persistent work-from-home requirement has allowed female participation on the internet substantially, letting a previously underrepresented section of society contribute to the digital conversation.

Initiatives emphasising women’s entrepreneurship are also noteworthy. They leverage digital technology to improve business operations. An exemplary programme is the ECA, which has successfully assisted numerous women; ambitions are set high to expand this programme to all African countries by 2025. Complementary to these efforts are strides to ensure female inclusivity and active participation in digital spaces, supported by the expected surge in Africa’s young demographic and various capacity-building endeavours.

Support for the Feminist Global Digital Compact principles is also significant. These principles encompass a myriad of provisions focused on digital rights, freedom from gender-based violence, universal digital rights, safe internet usage, safeguards against harmful surveillance and transparency in AI. This endorsement heralds a future of digital spaces that adhere to the principles of equality and safety.

Yet, significant hurdles persist. One crucial issue is that of inadequate and inconsistent electricity supply, as observed in South Africa, which directly influences consistent digital connectivity. This issue highlights the broader need for inclusivity in addressing the challenges faced by nations in the Global South in relation to digital economies. It is instrumental for global digital discourse to extensively acknowledge these challenges to develop a well-rounded global approach.

The argument for promoting women’s technological literacy carries considerable weight given their vital role in educating future generations. It is cautioned that the onset of an under-educated or technologically illiterate generation could severely compromise the future. The importance of empowerment is underscored as a fundamental element of progress. The insights gained call for an expansion of initiatives like Women in IGF beyond Africa to achieve truly global coverage. Ultimately, striving for gender equality remains pivotal in fostering a diversified, inclusive, and innovative digital future.

Mactar Seck

In Africa, despite substantial progress, wide disparities persist in the engagement of women in the tech sector and the equalisation of internet access. Women currently comprise less than 12% of the workforce in the tech field, significantly lower than the global average of 40%. The primary contributing factors involve limited internet access and the gender digital divide. To counter these issues, several African nations have initiated funding schemes to encourage and support women’s involvement in tech.

The positive increase in women joining the digital sector, spurred by changes to work dynamics during the COVID pandemic, has strengthened these efforts. This trend highlights the potential of African women to substantively contribute to the digital economy given suitable resources and opportunities.

Nonetheless, progress remains hindered, particularly for rural women who continue to face appreciable barriers to accessing the digital world. These obstructions include inadequate internet connectivity, with less than 10% of rural areas having access, and entrenched cultural practices that impede efforts to overcome the digital divide and restrict women from utilising digital technologies and gaining necessary skills.

The digital divide also extends to a significant proportion of Africa’s population, suffering from lack of access to electricity. This challenge, impacting over 50% of African inhabitants, substantially hinders digital access. However, solutions are being proposed, including efficient use of existing infrastructure and the deployment of innovative low-energy technologies, offering potential improvements to digital access.

Moreover, it’s important to recognise that not only access but safe navigation of the digital sphere remains a concern for African women. Reports indicate that 30-40% of women face online harassment, depending on the country, highlighting the need for robust protective measures such as raising awareness about cybersecurity. This will ensure women’s safety in the digital arena.

Adding to these complexities, many African women lack legal identity due to established cultural norms. This reality affects approximately 5 million people, predominantly women. This absence of official identification further marginalises these women, exacerbating the issues connected with digital exclusion and complicating the trajectory towards gender equality.

In conclusion, whilst strategic interventions and improvements in digital infrastructure have been implemented, achieving digital inclusion of women in Africa still necessitates comprehensive, concerted and context-specific actions. These initiatives should address the multifaceted challenges, from enhancing digital and electricity access to altering cultural attitudes and ensuring legal recognition. This comprehensive approach is a prerequisite to realising an inclusive digital future and, in doing so, fostering progress towards the broader Sustainable Development Goals.

Audience

This comprehensive examination primarily focusses on the intertwined issues of inadequate representation, digital disconnection, and gender disparities within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is a pressing need for broader representation from the global majority and a more significant involvement of women in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and the Digital Economy.

Concerningly, reports and statistics on digital connectivity appear to overlook rural areas and regions suffering from disrupted electricity supply, pointing to a perceived urban bias. It’s necessary to understand that the question of consistent electricity supply is intrinsically linked to the progress of digital connectivity. Acknowledging this is a vital step towards ensuring digital inclusion for all.

The conversation also tackles the prevailing societal fear that the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead to an increase in unemployment, particularly hitting young Africans. This stereotype overshadows the potential positive effects of AI in the workforce.

However, there are also positive aspects within this argument. It recognises achievements made by women within the technology sector. Documenting and showcasing these successes and innovations will boost much-needed visibility and acknowledgement. For initiatives such as the Global Digital Compact, it’s argued that women and young individuals should be treated as stakeholders, rather than just beneficiaries. Their voices and contributions are vital in moulding the digital landscape.

A striking observation within the analysis is the substantial digital divide in Mexico, with stark disparities in internet access and usage. Women and the older generations are disproportionately affected by this issue, with almost 78.1% of Mexican women reported to have trouble using the internet, primarily due to age and lack of knowledge. There’s a positive mindset emerging that suggests these demographics should be empowered through an education about the internet.

In summary, this detailed analysis calls for concerted efforts to overcome representation gaps, disparities in digital connectivity, and gender inequality within the digital sphere. These measures are critical to effectuate the related SDGs to ensure that advancements in technology, AI included, promote inclusive growth and equality. Recognition of achievements, especially amongst women in technology, and the shift from mere beneficiaries to stakeholders in digital initiatives, are key steps on this journey.

Margret Nyambura

The sentiment across the analysed items suggests a strong emphasis on securing meaningful connectivity and representation for women in the digital realm, particularly in STEM careers. This assertion is supported by statements revealing a considerable ‘leaky pipeline’ effect globally, resulting in fewer women and reduced retention in STEM-related sectors. Worryingly, the data reveals that only 22% of primary schools in Africa offer reliable internet connectivity, and women are 19% less likely to utilise mobile internet compared to men.

There is a robust case for the urgent need to increase involvement and representation of women in the STEM field. It is posited that, whilst opportunities for both genders are ostensibly equal at an early age, cultural norms and deep-seated biases often guide women towards the arts.

The review also underlines the potential risk of women’s exclusion from forthcoming opportunities in emerging technologies. The sentiment expressed suggests that unless the integration and participation of women in this digital revolution are considered from early childhood, achieving meaningful gender equality in these areas could remain elusive.

Crucially, the importance of data reflecting women’s experiences in the digital economy is emphasised, supporting fair decision-making. In its absence, there is an elevated risk of biased outcomes and decisions, perpetuating systemic gender-based discrimination in resource allocation. Better representation within collected data could serve as an effective remedy to such bias.

Addressing digital inclusion in rural areas, there is suggestion of implementing innovative methods, such as art and drama. These creative outlets are proposed as means to expand digital space awareness, transcending connectivity issues to ensure vital information reaches rural populations. Moreover, the role of African youth, who constitute the majority of the continent’s population, could be instrumental in disseminating these technologies.

Additionally, there is a compelling argument for utilising innovative technological solutions to bridge the digital divide, particularly acute in rural areas. The belief is that all individuals can bring digital awareness to their local communities, thus facilitating potential technological progress. The digital space is envisioned as a pivotal tool in driving such advancement, reducing inequalities for sustainable development.

In conclusion, the arguments and evidence presented suggest a positive shift in attitudes towards gender equality, quality education, and reduced inequalities. However, substantial work needs to be done to ensure comprehensive digital inclusion and equal representation in STEM fields, particularly concerning women and rural communities.

Speakers