2023-04-27 05:32:11
Inequality
About 90% of girls deprived of internet in poor countries
A UNICEF report reveals gender disparities in digital access and the role of family environment and education in these inequalities.
Published
The data comes from surveys in 54 countries. (Illustrative photo)
AFP
About 90% of adolescent girls and young women in the poorest countries do not use the internet, a higher proportion than that of boys and men of the same age, according to a UNICEF report, which underlines the role of education in these inequalities. In 2020, Unicef and the International Telecommunications Union estimated that only 37% of young people aged 15 to 24 worldwide had internet access at their home. But this estimate “hides striking gender disparities, linked to access to equipment, internet use and digital skills within households”, notes the UNICEF report published on Wednesday.
The UN agency therefore looked at usage data from surveys in 54 countries, mainly low-income countries and a few middle-income ones. Result, “in low-income countries, 90% of adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 (regarding 65 million people) are not online, compared to 78% of adolescent boys and young men of the same age. (nearly 57 million) who do not use the internet”, estimates the report. “Reducing the digital gap between girls and boys is not just regarding providing access to the internet and technology,” said Robert Jenkins, director of education at UNICEF, in a statement. “It’s regarding empowering girls to become innovators, creators, leaders.”
left at the door
The report notes that although girls in general have better basic reading skills, this does not translate into the digital sphere. In these countries, “adolescent girls and young women are forgotten and left behind in terms of digital knowledge”, deplores UNICEF, which highlights in particular the importance of the family environment and education in this situation.
“If we want to tackle gender inequalities in the labor market, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, we must start now by helping young people, especially girls, to acquire digital skills,” argued Robert Jenkins. The difference is also significant in terms ofaccess to cell phones, according to the report. Thus, in 41 of the countries studied, young girls and women aged 15 to 24 are “largely disadvantaged”, with an average 13% chance of owning a mobile phone, “limiting their access to the digital world” which is nevertheless essential in the 21st century economy.
(AFP)
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