High-level event organized by UN Women and EU institutions gathers decision-makers on closing the gender digital gap
Date:
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will attend the “All on board – Closing the digital gap for women and girls in developing countries” high-level event, co-hosted by the European Commission, the European Parliament and UN Women in Brussels, on 11 April.
Bridging the gender digital divide would help deliver on the benefits of development to the millions of unconnected women and girls. Yet, 4 billion people remain unconnected – too often women in developing countries. Women are also less likely to own a mobile phone. Affordability is another obstacle, particularly for women and girls who represent the majority of the 1 billion poorest people in the world. Free access to the internet and mobile connectivity, along with provision of digital literacy, can therefore be a strategic tool to reduce social and gender inequalities.
These are some of the topics that will be discussed at this event, which will bring together high-level speakers and two panels to showcase real life, concrete policy, institutional and private sector initiatives aimed at accelerating gender equality and women's empowerment through digital technologies.
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka will be part of the opening and the closing sessions. Other keynote speakers include Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development and Linda McAvan, Chair of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament.
Empowering women and girls to participate fully in all aspects of social and economic life is essential for building stronger, more prosperous and more sustainable societies. Participants will examine how these best practices can be scaled up in partnership with the EU and UN systems, governments and other stakeholders.
One example of such initiative includes the Women’s Empowerment Principles, created by UN Women and the Global Compact in 2010, as the guiding platform for the private sector companies to take intentional actions and make deliberate policies to promote gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.
The EU, UN Women and ILO are partnering to support gender-responsive business practices through two new programmes in G7 countries and in Latin America and Caribbean.”
