Digital Empowerment: How technology is empowering women globally

 

Introduction

The concept of digital empowerment has gained popularity in the 21st century in several areas. Digital empowerment is said to be the development and training of competencies by people that make it possible to minimise social inequalities through the development of capacities for use as well as innovation based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), geared towards the emancipation of the individual and their environments, like platforms for entrepreneurship, visibility and management. It therefore consists of equipping people with skills and knowledge to navigate the digitized world, enabling them to access modern technology and harness its power for both individual and community development. However, around the world and even in the 21st century, there is a huge digital gender gap in many regions of the world. For instance, Sub-Saharan African women are 37% less likely than men to use mobile internet. This is the largest digital gender gap in the world. However, it is worth noting that bridging the digital gender gap is crucial to the development of individuals, especially women and countries. This will empower women and close the gender inequalities in many societies. technology, according to several research have been proven to possess the ability to foster economic and educational opportunities and social inclusion for women. This article takes a deeper stir into the existing gender gap and discusses how the benefits of technological innovation can be accessible to all. For better understanding, this article will be divided into several subheadings.

Bridging the Digital Gender Divide

A recent article by The Atlantic stated that previously the technology ecosystems were hugely one-sided, featuring mainly males. However, in recent times, there has been a paradigm shift in the technology ecosystem with more women entering the technology domain. However, from many indications, the digital gender gap persists. This creates inequalities in the access and usage of technology, hindering women’s social and economic empowerment. The world has recognized this issue and international organizations, businesses and even individuals are now working tirelessly to close the digital gap between men and women by formulating policies and programmes as well as advocating for equal opportunities and inclusion in the digital space. According to a number of research, to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, girls and young women need to have equal access to digital training, and technology and also be safe online, just as men. Research has also shown that men are 52% more likely to have internet access than women in developing countries. Thus, it can be deduced that the gender digital gap in a country like Ghana is wide. However, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and governments are working tirelessly to bridge this gap and technology is at the centre of it. Legislations about STEM, and improvement in technological infrastructures, among others are being carried out to bridge the digital gender gap in several countries.

Education Beyond Boundaries

Technology has been deployed by many countries and policy-makers have formulated and implemented policies, initiatives, and programmes to revolutionize education systems to put technology at the centre of it. This is to help break down geographical and other forms of barriers and enable girls and women to equally access technology. Also, technological tools such as digital literacy programs, online platforms, and educational applications are empowering several women to access advanced technology to gain new skills and also pursue several endeavours that help them break age-long stereotypes. Thus, the impact of digital education and empowerment goes beyond individuals and has ripple effects that contribute to societal development and progress. Also, several countries have now seen the importance of encouraging girls and young women to study STEM just like boys and young men do.

Economic Empowerment Through Digital Entrepreneurship

The digital space has led to a new dispensation of entrepreneurship, providing women with several avenues for economic empowerment. There is an endless list of success stories as women entrepreneurs around the world employ digital platforms for digital marketing, e-commerce and online businesses to break societal economic barriers. This paradigm shift not only improves the economic opportunities for women but also enables them to challenge and break traditional norms and stereotypes, leading to a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. Technological advancement has also made easy, entrepreneurial tasks that used to be tedious, enabling both men and women to take up responsibilities in the landscape of entrepreneurship. Thanks to technological advancements in the 21st century, women are encouraged to study technology-related courses such as robotics, web design, etc., bringing them at par with their male counterparts in the landscape of technology.

Digital Tools for Wellness and Health

In the 21st century, technology has become crucial to the health and wellness of women, enabling them to take good care of themselves and their health. This has helped to eliminate several sicknesses and diseases that used to hinder women from taking on certain jobs, responsibilities and tasks as their male counterparts and today, women are at par with men in this regard. For instance, the 21st century has seen a tremendous improvement in menstrual health using technology. In recent years, several wearable devices have been produced. These devices are designed to track menstrual cycles. Such devices enable women (and, in some instances, their partners) to know and understand better their menstrual cycle as well as how unique it is to them. Some technologies help women in the 21st century to understand and improve their health. They include digitized devices for fertility tracking, menstrual pain management, pregnancy monitoring, breast health and postpartum care. All these come together to empower women through digitalization to gain equal access to opportunities and resources just as men.

Amplifying the Voices and Advocacy of Women Through Digitization/Technology

Like no other century, the 21st century has seen the voices and advocacies of women being heard more and this can be largely attributed to the advancement in technology and the digitalization of communication devices and channels. Technological advancement and the digitalization of communication channels such as the various social media platforms have made it possible and easy for the voices and advocacies of women to be heard. Women are utilizing digital communication tools and channels to drive their campaigns and movements, enabling women to break several stereotypical boundaries and strive for excellence. Additionally, digital activism is reshaping the narratives of women, pushing women’s rights as well as gender equality to the forefront of societal conversations in the 21st century.

Conclusion

Conclusively, it can be said that the digital era of the 21st century has become a cornerstone of gender equality and women’s empowerment, catapulting women into a new era of opportunities and possibilities. Digital empowerment is reshaping the narratives of women in several aspects of life: from entrepreneurship to education to advocacy and health. The proper utilization of this new frontier can help propel the agenda of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the world.

Article Authors:  Dr. Roger Akanbisik, (PhD Social Entrepreneurship); Dr. Frederick Kojo Gbagba, (PhD Social Entrepreneurship

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