World Bank has urged developing nations to expand digital skills among the youth so as to narrow the gender digital divide in preparation for digital future jobs.
Addressing the Sub-Saharan countries, the global lender notes that more focus being put only on rapid expansion will consequently widen the gaps between different sections of the society.
“For instance, women without basic digital skills will face continued barriers to accessing jobs and developing financial independence,” World Bank says.
Africa’s digital economy is expanding fast as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that 230 million jobs in the region will require digital skills by 2030, and nearly 65 percent of individuals recruited for jobs at African companies will require at least basic digital skills.
Whether an urban or rural dweller, formal or informal sector worker, teacher, principal, or student, the lender reiterates that digital skills are now an essential aspect of our daily lives, thus important for everyone to be digitally literate.
In Kenya, data by UNESCO shows only 20 percent of women in Nairobi use the internet compared to 57 percent of men.
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The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022 further shows that the ability between men and women to afford a smartphone and data in the country has diminished due to lower incomes, with women disproportionately impacted.
The report highlights Kenya as a country with high levels of mobile ownership, 94 percent of adult men and 88 percent of adult women own a phone.
However, women are less likely than men to own a smartphone, contributing to a wide mobile internet user gender gap, where women are 38 percent less likely than men to use mobile internet.
The report however notes that smartphone ownership and internet use has increased for working women in the country.
“Working women experienced notable growth in smartphone ownership and mobile internet use in 2021. The proportion of working women who own a smartphone increased from 30 percent to 37 percent and the proportion who use mobile internet increased from 29 percent to 36 percent,” the report reads in part.
World Bank attributes the unpredictable gap to factors such as lack of digital skills, poor access to internet, divisive social norms and stereotypes, and general unaffordability of data and devices.
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