Digital Inclusion Initiatives

AI systems built without women's voices miss half the world and actively distort reality for everyone. On International Women's Day - and every day - this truth demands our attention. After more than two decades working at the intersection of technological innovation and human rights, I've observed a consistent pattern: systems designed without inclusive input inevitably encode the inequalities of the world we have today, incorporating biases in data, algorithms, and even policy. Building technology that works requires our shared participation as the foundation of effective innovation. The data is sobering: women represent only 30% of the AI workforce and a mere 12% of AI research and development positions according to UNESCO's Gender and AI Outlook. This absence shapes the technology itself. And a UNESCO study on Large Language Models (LLMs) found persistent gender biases - where female names were disproportionately linked to domestic roles, while male names were associated with leadership and executive careers. UNESCO's @women4EthicalAI initiative, led by the visionary and inspiring Gabriela Ramos and Dr. Alessandra Sala, is fighting this pattern by developing frameworks for non-discriminatory AI and pushing for gender equity in technology leadership. Their work extends the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, a powerful global standard centering human rights in AI governance. Today's decision is whether AI will transform our world into one that replicates today's inequities or helps us build something better. Examine your AI teams and processes today. Where are the gaps in representation affecting your outcomes? Document these blind spots, set measurable inclusion targets, and build accountability systems that outlast good intentions. The technology we create reflects who creates it - and gives us a path to a better world. #InternationalWomensDay #AI #GenderBias #EthicalAI #WomenInAI #UNESCO #ArtificialIntelligence The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Mariagrazia Squicciarini Miriam Vogel Vivian Schiller Karen Gill Mary Rodriguez, MBA Erika Quada Mathilde Barge Gwen Hotaling Yolanda Botti-Lodovico

Hidden link between gender inequality and accessibility Becoming a mother changed the way I look at technology and equality. I started to notice how many tools - from health apps to learning platforms - were not built with women, or with parents, in mind. Later, as I became a web accessibility expert, I understood something even bigger: gender inequality and accessibility are deeply connected. Let's take a look what research shows about this subject: 1️⃣Voice technologies don’t hear women equally Scientific studies show that voice recognition systems perform worse for female voices because most training datasets are dominated by male voices. ▷ Example: A 2023 study (No Pitch Left Behind) found that improving pitch representation reduced recognition errors for women’s voices by almost 10% (the link: https://lnkd.in/emJNZYRq) ▷ Now imagine relying on speech recognition as your main way of interacting with technology and discovering it just doesn’t “hear” you as well. For women with disabilities, this gap is more than an inconvenience: it’s an exclusion. 2️⃣Women with disabilities face double barriers UNICEF’s 2022 report shows that girls with disabilities are less likely to access digital devices or inclusive platforms compared both to boys with disabilities and to girls without disabilities. ▷ Another recent review of 66 studies on assistive tech highlighted that women often experience worse outcomes because their contexts — like caregiving, mobility patterns, or communication needs — are rarely considered in design (the link: https://lnkd.in/eZfrp-kt) ▷ This means accessibility that ignores gender risks leaving behind those who already face the highest barriers. 3️⃣Assistive technology & outcomes for women are often worse A scoping review in 2025 of 66 studies on assistive technology (AT) found that gender bias in design often leads to worse outcomes for women. Women’s specific caregiving roles, usability needs, and contexts are less considered. For example, disabled mothers’ needs were often neglected (the link: https://lnkd.in/eC4_2p3p) ▷ Also, inaccessible built environments and digital environments compound the problem for women. The report shows that gender matters not just in use, but in how well assistive tech works for different people. Accessibility isn’t only about following guidelines. It’s about asking: who gets left out when we design by default? As experts, designers, and leaders, we need to: · test products with diverse voices and genders, · co-create solutions with women with disabilities, · and bring more women into accessibility leadership to reduce blind spots. Because when technology excludes women, the whole idea of accessibility falls apart. #Accessibility #Inclusion #GenderEquality #WomenInTech #AssistiveTechnology #DigitalInclusion

Misogyny is driving young women away from online spaces. New polling commissioned by Amnesty International UK, exposes the staggering levels of online misogyny that plague social media, driving young people, particularly women, away from spaces meant for connection and creativity. I've shared the full report which is worth a read Toxic Tech: How Misogyny is Shaping Gen Z’s Online Experience. It adds to the giant pile of evidence around the harm being caused by tech to our young people, especially women. An overwhelming 73% of Gen Z social media users have witnessed misogynistic content online with half encountering it on a weekly basis. The problem is only getting worse, as 70% believe misogynistic and divisive language has increased on social media. Alarmingly, 55% express concerns about seeing misogynistic content, and less than half (49%) feel that social media is a safe space. The polling also uncovers the shocking forms of online harassment faced by Gen Z women, including: ℹ️ 53% receiving inappropriate emojis (e.g., 🍆💦) on their posts and photos ℹ️ 44% receiving unsolicited explicit images ℹ️ 43% being body-shamed ℹ️ 40% subjected to unwanted sexually suggestive comments ℹ️ 32% experiencing hate speech ℹ️ 27% reporting online stalking. Among social media platforms, TikTok is seen as the worst offender. 70% of respondents reported encountering misogynistic content on TikTok, rising to 80% for women, followed by Instagram (61%), Twitter/X (37%), YouTube (31%), and Facebook (30%). Marginalised groups and ethnic minorities suffer these toxic effects the most: ℹ️ Gen Z women with disabilities are twice as likely as women without disabilities to spend more than 10 hours a day on social media. ℹ️ Three in ten women with disabilities who have experienced online misogyny, reported that they had received threats of violence online against one in five of those without disabilities. ℹ️ Gen Z women with ethnic minority backgrounds who have experienced online misogyny, are more likely to have experienced hate speech than their white counterparts. Online misogyny is having a severe impact on mental health: ℹ️ 55% of those who have experienced online misogyny have blocked users in response to abusive content. ℹ️ 44% of Gen Z women who had experienced online misogyny in the UK report negative mental health impacts from exposure to misogynistic content. ℹ️ 35% have switched their accounts to private. ℹ️ 30% have taken screenshots as evidence of abuse received ℹ️ 22% avoid posting certain types of content. ℹ️ 20% have avoided or left platforms altogether And sadly there are many more depressing stats in there. Until we bring in genuine accountability and consequence to these Tech companies, these issues will just continue- we need a systemic response. For young women to abandon online spaces because of men's behaviour, can't be something we just accept. Love & light, Sal. #WeRiseByLiftingEachOther

A recent scoping review shows that the use of various types of digital health technologies (DHTs) can improve women’s access to healthcare and lead to better health outcomes. DHTs also improve women's empowerment and gender equality by facilitating skills acquisition, health education, and social interaction. However, barriers remain, such as financial challenges, privacy concerns, limited digital infrastructure, and geographical constraints. To maximize the benefits of DHTs, the authors recommend several actions for stakeholders: expanding digital infrastructure, collecting more data on women’s access and the digital gender divide, implementing affordability measures, launching education initiatives, enacting supportive legislation, and developing community-based interventions. Article: https://lnkd.in/dDBZfZ65 #digitalhealth #womenshealth #femtech Israel Júnior Borges do Nascimento, David Novillo Ortiz, PhD, Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Isabel Yordi Aguirre, Ishanka Weerasekara, Rosemary Morgan, PhD, Robin van Kessel et al.

My recent research, which examines the adoption of emerging technologies through a gender lens, illuminates continued disparities in women's experiences with Generative AI. Day after day we continue to hear about the ways GenAI will change how we work, the types of jobs that will be needed, and how it will enhance our productivity, but are these benefits equally accessible to everyone? My research suggests otherwise, particularly for women. 🕰️ The Time Crunch: Women, especially those juggling careers with care responsibilities, are facing a significant time deficit. Across the globe women spend up to twice as much time as men on care and household duties, resulting in women not having the luxury of time to upskill in GenAI technologies. This "second shift" at home is increasing an already wide divide. 💻 Tech Access Gap: Beyond time constraints, many women face limited access to the necessary technology to engage with GenAI effectively. This isn't just about owning a computer - it's about having consistent, uninterrupted access to high-speed internet and up-to-date hardware capable of running advanced AI tools. According to the GSMA, women in low- and middle-income countries are 20% less likely than men to own a smartphone and 49% less likely to use mobile internet. 🚀 Career Advancement Hurdles: The combination of time poverty and tech access limitations is creating a perfect storm. As GenAI skills become increasingly expected in the workplace, women risk falling further behind in career advancement opportunities and pay. This is especially an issue in tech-related fields and leadership positions. Women account for only about 25% of engineers working in AI, and less than 20% of speakers at AI conferences are women. 🔍 Applying a Gender Lens: By viewing this issue through a gender lens, we can see that the rapid advancement of GenAI threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities. It's not enough to create powerful AI tools; we must ensure equitable access and opportunity to leverage these tools. 📈 Moving Forward: To address this growing divide, we need targeted interventions: Flexible, asynchronous training programs that accommodate varied schedules Initiatives to improve tech access in underserved communities. Workplace policies that recognize and support employees with caregiving responsibilities. Mentorship programs specifically designed to support women in acquiring GenAI skills. There is great potential with GenAI, but also risk of leaving half our workforce behind. It's time for tech companies, employers, and policymakers to recognize and address these gender-specific barriers. Please share initiatives or ideas you have for making GenAI more inclusive and accessible for everyone. #GenderEquity #GenAI #WomenInTech #InclusiveAI #WorkplaceEquality

Is it fair that in India, more than half of the women don’t have exclusive access to a mobile phone? Shocking, right? Yes, you heard it right. While mobile phones have become an essential tool for communication, education, and work, 52% of Indian women can only use a shared phone, and 21% don’t use one at all. Why is that? Even in 2023, when the world is more connected than ever, women still face barriers to accessing basic technology. Many families prioritize giving phones to men, considering it a “necessity” for them, while treating it as a “luxury” for women. It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? But this isn’t just about phones. It’s about independence, privacy, and opportunity. Without exclusive access, women can’t freely explore educational content, apply for jobs, or even make private calls without judgment. The gap is clear: 48% of men have their own phones compared to just 27% of women. Why does this matter? Because a mobile phone isn’t just a device—it’s a lifeline. It’s the key to staying informed, building careers, and accessing critical services. And when women are left out of the digital world, they’re left out of opportunities. So, how do we fix this? We need to make digital access a priority for women. This means: ✅ Affordable devices and data plans for women. ✅ Programs that address societal norms and encourage families to empower their daughters. ✅ Digital literacy initiatives to ensure women can fully utilize these tools. Because until everyone is connected, we can’t claim to be truly equal. What do you think? How can we make sure women get equal access to technology? LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Guide to Creating #digitaldivide #empowerwomen #genderequality #technologyforall Source: Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey, NSSO 2022-23 (via dataforindia)

📊 **Gender Gaps Are Narrowing In Education, But Is This Enough For Digital India?** As I examined in my recent article, India has made remarkable progress in achieving gender parity in education enrollment across all levels - primary, secondary, and higher education. This progress earned us first rank in primary and tertiary education globally in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gaps subindices ranking. But looking beyond enrollment numbers, concerning trends emerge: • The ASER 2024 report shows while 51% of girls in class V can read standard II level text (vs 47% of boys), only 29% of girls can do division (vs 32% of boys) • There's a significant gender gap in smartphone ownership - 36% of boys own personal smartphones compared to just 26% of girls • Between 2020-2023, Nikore Associates consultations across 15 states revealed young girls were often last to access shared household smartphones, for the least time, with most monitoring • Only 74% of private schools and 46% of government schools have internet facilities (Ministry of Education) • While women make up nearly half of STEM graduates, men continue to dominate engineering, technology, computer sciences, and management - the streams with highest growth potential With the WEF's Future of Jobs Report 2025 indicating 86% of businesses expect AI, robotics and automation to transform their companies, closing this digital divide is crucial. I propose three key solutions: 1️⃣ A mass digital literacy program for girls - a "Beti Padhao, Beti ko Phone Dilao" initiative 2️⃣ Improved technology readiness in schools through public-private partnerships 3️⃣ Celebrating women in STEM as role models For truly harnessing women-led development in a digital economy, India's girls need to be empowered in digital spaces. Today, literacy doesn't just mean being able to read and write, but to read, write, and surf. See the full article on Outlook Publishing (India) Pvt. Ltd. here: https://lnkd.in/gdcxrZR5 #GenderEquality #DigitalInclusion #WomenInSTEM #Education #India #GenderDigitalDivide #DigitalIndia #DigitalEconomy #Education #GenderGaps Nikore Associates

Excited to share insights from my Master's thesis on how information technology is transforming women's empowerment in Pakistan. Initially, I was unsure where my research would lead. Still, it soon became clear that IT not only opens doors to online learning, scholarships, and global educational opportunities but also challenges traditional gender roles. As Nirmal Puwar's idea of “space invaders” suggests, women are boldly entering spaces that were once considered off-limits, redefining what it means to be independent and self-reliant. My work involved extensive discussions and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with participants who highlighted both the immense benefits and the harsh challenges of our digital era. On the one hand, digital platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have become essential tools for mentoring and connecting with scholarship opportunities. On the other hand, cyberbullying and online harassment—recorded at around 4441 cases in 2021, with a significant number involving women—pose real threats that can diminish confidence and hinder progress. Moreover, my research pointed to unequal access to IT, influenced by economic constraints and entrenched societal hierarchies. While government initiatives such as providing laptops have been appreciated by many, issues around accessibility remain a challenge. Research by UNDP Pakistan on digitalization and its impact on women has been extremely helpful in understanding the transformative potential of digital tools, yet it also reinforces that much more work is needed. In light of these findings, I strongly urge Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives to create more safe digital spaces where women can explore their potential without fear. Establishing secure, supportive environments is essential for enabling women to fully engage with the digital world and leverage its opportunities for education and employment. I’m grateful for the journey my research has taken me on, and I look forward to continuing this conversation on digital empowerment and gender equality.  #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #Technology #UNDP #Digitalization

Today is #InternationalWomensDay, a day to not only celebrate women’s lives and their enormous contributions to our world, but also to take stock of persistent gender inequality and commit to tackling the systems and structures that hold women back. Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Intuit and The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law project have just released ground-breaking new research that explores the challenges women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries currently face and offers actionable recommendations. Our report, “Empowered or Undermined? Women Entrepreneurs and the Digital Economy”, has a focus on with women’s digital inclusion, use of online tools—such as social media, AI, e-commerce and Mobile Money—and digital technology’s broader implications for their businesses. For me, one of the most pertinent and shocking issues is that of online gender-based violence (#GBV) and its devastating impacts on women entrepreneurs. This form of abuse, which includes harassment, stalking and exploitation, is not only damaging to women’s wellbeing, it also affects their ability to participate in the digital economy. This disadvantages their businesses and impacts their livelihoods and freedoms. Drawing on contributions from nearly 3,000 women entrepreneurs, our report reveals crucial insights on their experiences with GBV, both online and in person:  ⭕ 57% report having personally experienced at least one form of GBV over social media. ⭕ 16% report safety and security concerns as a key barrier to mobile internet, illustrating the destructive potential that harassment holds to drive women offline. ⭕ 21% fear harassment from male customers, both online and offline. ⭕ 77% take proactive safety measures, such as screening customers online before meeting them in person or relying on male relatives for protection. ⭕ To protect themselves, 36% avoid using their real names online and 59% avoid posting videos. Yet, online platforms are critical tools for growth for many women entrepreneurs: 89% of respondents use social media daily for business or personal use, and 63% cited their increased use of digital tools in 2024 as a key business success. It is therefore unacceptable that women experience GBV in online spaces used for business. This International Women's Day, we must commit to combatting violence against women and creating a safer, more gender equal business world where women can realise their full potential. We’re calling for:  📢 Governments to introduce stronger legal protections against online and offline GBV.  📢 Tech companies to make digital spaces safer for women entrepreneurs. 📢 NGOs to develop digital safety training with experts, local organisations, and women entrepreneurs to support them to use digital platforms safely.  Read the report for more insights and recommendations, and join us to #AccelerateAction for women business owners: https://lnkd.in/eJYwaJ-a

WHO Global Strategy on digital health, states that access to connectivity, devices, and digital literacy are #digitaldeterminants of health, yet many people around the globe still lack regular access to digital information and services. Over two-thirds of caregivers are women; however, women are less likely than men to have their own phone or internet access. Billions of people, including remote populations, still live beyond reliable access to #digitalconnectivity. Some populations, including youth, may be unable or allowed to provide meaningful consent regarding how their digitally collected data may be used. Those with disabilities may need accessibility features or assistive technologies to access digital tools and content. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring no one is left behind regarding health care coverage and outcomes. Access to connectivity alone, however, is not a panacea for health. Risks such as inadequate authenticity, cybersecurity, and privacy protections—or the inadequate implementation of these protections—can lead to inequities and direct harm. To address #healthinequities, intentional efforts are needed to promote inclusion and accessibility for all users and stakeholders while enforcing protective measures. Dedicated efforts are needed to advance connectivity, promote #genderequity, design gender-intentional digital architecture and digital public infrastructure, promote youth engagement, and reach marginalized populations. Supporting women’s involvement in country digital health leadership can help make digital transformation more #equitable and representative, working toward more equitable health for all. This paper builds on related policies, including the forthcoming 2024–2034 USAID Global Health Policy and the 2024–2034 USAID Digital Policy. It is part of USAID’s broader embrace of open, inclusive, secure, and rights-respecting digital ecosystems as a foundation for and accelerant of the agency’s social and economic development programs.