Bridging The Digital Gender Gap As An Sdg Accelerator

Nearly half of the world’s population are women and achieving gender equality (SDG 5) is particularly impactful as an accelerator of the other SDGs, yet women continue to be held back in terms of decent work and equal enjoyment of political, economic, and social life (World Bank 2022). According to the OECD’s Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI), gender inequality costs the global economy USD $6 trillion, and women’s labor force participation is 47%, compared to 73% for men (ILO 2022). Women and girls, in all their diversity, are also disproportionately affected by climate change, and its impacts are amplified for women with intersectional inequalities, including indigenous and women of color, elderly women, those with disabilities, migrant women, and those living in rural, remote, conflict and disaster-prone areas (UN Women 2022). Digital technology is an exceptionally empowering force for women when it is inclusive and regulated for impact. Unfortunately, persistent gender gaps in digital access and literacy, STEM education, and biases perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes and the exclusion of women in the creation and use of new digital tools, including AI, and the underrepresentation of women in careers in the digital and technology sectors. Informed by an assessment of past G20 commitments on gender equality in the digital context and evaluation of progress on achieving those commitments, this policy brief recommends interventions to accelerate advancement. With the goal of achieving the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the 2030 Agenda, this policy brief outlines effective, responsive, and sustainable solutions to fill the digital gender gap and leverage the potential of digital transformation to reduce inequalities in the world of work, embracing a whole-of-society approach and leaving no one behind.