Rwandans have joined other countries across the globe to celebrate the International Women’s Day annually observed on 8 March.
The celebrations are being conducted under the theme; DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.
According to the United Nations, a persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential.
Their under-representation in STEM education and careers remains a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance.
And the pervasive threat of online gender-based violence—coupled with a lack of legal recourse—too often forces them out of the digital spaces they do occupy.
A survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that 73 per cent had suffered online violence in the course of their work.
According to available statistics, women make up only 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers globally.
A global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries found that 44.2 per cent demonstrate gender bias.
At the same time, digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups.
From gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality.
“This 8 March, we are calling on governments, activists and the private sector alike to power on in their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and more equitable,” UN says.
