Digital Inclusion Matters: Closing the Gap for Women and Girls

African women have less access to the internet than men – solutions the G20 can champion

Research published by The African Chronicle shows that in countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, only 15%–28% of women own smartphones, and women are substantially less likely than men to use mobile internet.

The article highlights how this gap affects access to education, financial services, entrepreneurship, and public participation.

Source: THE AFRICAN CHRONICLE

Closing the digital divide for women and girls in Africa through education

A recent initiative led by UNESCO and Beijing Normal University aims to bridge the digital skills gap among women and girls in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan regions.

In countries like Ghana and Tanzania, the project addresses how only 40–44 women for every 100 men have spreadsheet proficiency, a major barrier for digital inclusion.

Source: UNESCO

African women have lower levels of digital skills

A new analysis finds that in Africa, women lag behind men in not just access, but in the skills required to use digital technologies: fewer women are online, and many face barriers in app usage, email, and more advanced digital tools.

The gap is widest for women in low-income contexts where affordability, device access, and training are major constraints.

Source: ITWEB AFRICA

How girls shape tech on their own terms in Tanzania

In Tanzania, girls and young women are taking charge of their tech journey — from coding clubs and design challenges to entrepreneurship projects — despite ongoing gender gaps.

According to the UNESCO report “Technology on Her Terms”, in Sub-Saharan Africa only 40–44 women per 100 men have equivalent spreadsheet skills, highlighting the need for improved digital training and empowerment programmes.

Source: UNESCO