The theme of this year’s annual International Day of the Girl Child, on October 11, “Digital generation. Our generation.”, recognizes the digital transformation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. But while the pandemic accelerated the transition to online learning, working and networking, it also accelerated women and girl’s risk of being left behind.
In 2020, more than 60 million women in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) had no access to the mobile internet and so, were more likely than men to miss out on learning and working opportunities.
Access, ownership and use of digital tools are not gender-neutral: For instance, parents may be stricter with girls than boys in the use of mobile phones and activities that require the use of the internet, while households with limited computing resources might redirect these to boys and men over girls and women, often tasked with domestic chores and unpaid work. Factors such as affordability and cost also affect women and girls disproportionally.
Moreover, social norms, gender bias and a lack of support from the family and teachers often dissuade girls and women from choosing education programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and from pursuing careers in these fields.
Continue reading: http://www.ipsnews.net/2021/10/day-girl-child-digital-generation-every-girl-counts/
In 2020, more than 60 million women in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) had no access to the mobile internet and so, were more likely than men to miss out on learning and working opportunities.
Access, ownership and use of digital tools are not gender-neutral: For instance, parents may be stricter with girls than boys in the use of mobile phones and activities that require the use of the internet, while households with limited computing resources might redirect these to boys and men over girls and women, often tasked with domestic chores and unpaid work. Factors such as affordability and cost also affect women and girls disproportionally.
Moreover, social norms, gender bias and a lack of support from the family and teachers often dissuade girls and women from choosing education programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and from pursuing careers in these fields.
Continue reading: http://www.ipsnews.net/2021/10/day-girl-child-digital-generation-every-girl-counts/
