A new report from UN Women highlights a powerful opportunity for global growth: closing the gender digital divide. With digital access shaping everything from financial inclusion to entrepreneurship, the report presents a clear economic case for ensuring women and girls can fully participate in the digital world.
The Economic Impact
According to the findings, narrowing the gender digital divide could:
- Boost global GDP by an estimated $1.5 trillion
- Lift 30 million women out of poverty
- Accelerate progress across education, employment and entrepreneurship
- Strengthen countries’ resilience in a digital-first global economy
These figures underline a critical truth: digital inclusion isn’t just a gender equality issue — it is a major economic lever.
The Digital Divide Today
Despite rapid technological progress, women and girls remain significantly underrepresented in digital access and skills. Barriers range from limited connectivity and affordability to social norms that restrict women’s participation in STEM fields and digital careers. The result is a widening inequality in who benefits from the world’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
Why Digital Inclusion Matters
Digital technologies increasingly underpin financial systems, job creation, healthcare, education and innovation. Without equal access, women and girls are left out of opportunities that could transform their livelihoods and economic security.
For female entrepreneurs, digital tools can be the difference between local stagnation and global reach — enabling e-commerce, mobile banking, online marketing and new business models.
The Path Forward
The report calls for coordinated action across governments, the private sector and civil society, including:
- Investing in affordable digital infrastructure
- Expanding digital skills programmes for women and girls
- Increasing women’s participation in STEM education and the tech workforce
- Designing inclusive digital financial services
- Collecting reliable data to monitor progress
These interventions not only promote fairness — they unlock significant economic potential.
A Transformative Opportunity
At Invest in Women’s Hub, we believe that digital inclusion is one of the most important drivers of women’s economic empowerment. Ensuring women have equal access to the digital economy will generate lasting impact, fuel innovation and create opportunities for millions globally.
Closing the gender digital divide is more than a development priority — it is a strategic investment with immense returns.