A significant gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills among young African women was threatening to limit their access to education, employment, and economic empowerment, a new report has warned.
The report, released by Caribou Digital and the Mastercard Foundation on Friday, found that young African women face a range of barriers to digital inclusion, including limited access to digital infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, and societal norms that discourage them from pursuing careers in technology.
According to the report, the gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills could have far-reaching consequences, including limiting the ability of young African women to access information, networks, and opportunities, and potentially exacerbating existing gender inequalities.
“Key findings from the report show a concerning gender gap, with young African women lagging in digital technology use. This is often due to societal norms, which, in some cases, see family members pressure them to abandon social media.
“This is compounded by a disproportionate number of women impacted by online bullying, harassment, and body shaming, hindering their online engagement for both social and business purposes,” it highlighted.
Commenting on the report, Research & Insights Manager, Caribou Digital, Grace Natabaalo, said the report was a collection of voices empowered by the benefits of digital access and marginalised by the significant barriers preventing their full participation in this burgeoning technological age.
“We view this report and its findings as a statement for Africa, which has the largest youth population in the world; it is crucial that they are not left behind their global peers and are invested in through strong infrastructure, skills training, and inclusive policies.
“As we enter a new era of artificial intelligence, African governments must ensure that young people in Africa are prepared to harness the transformative power of AI,’ she remarked.
Also, the Director of Research Systems Strengthening and Knowledge Mobilisation, Mastercard Foundation, Ayo Ojebode, declared, “The Mastercard Foundation envisions a future in which all young people in Africa can access dignified and fulfilling work.
He explained that digital technology plays a key role in this mission, with the power to unlock opportunities through network building, access to markets, skill development, and more.
“We are proud to be a partner of Caribou Digital, which has undertaken this transformative research project and shed critical light on the issues that shape our work. We look forward to seeing the impact their insights and thought leadership will have on systems change in Africa, for and by its young people,” he noted.