About 90% of adolescent girls and young women in the poorest countries do not go online, a higher proportion than boys and men of the same age, according to a UNICEF report, which underlines the role of education in these inequalities.
In 2020, Unicef and the International Telecommunications Union estimated that only 37% of young people aged 15 to 24 worldwide had Internet access at home.
But this estimate
"hides striking gender disparities, linked to access to equipment, Internet use and digital skills within households"
, notes the UNICEF report published on Wednesday.
It's about empowering girls to become innovators, creators, leaders.
»
Unicef
The UN agency therefore looked at usage data from surveys in 54 countries, mainly low-income countries and a few middle-income ones.
Result,
“in low-income countries, 90% of adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24
(about 65 million people)
are not online, compared to 78% of adolescent boys and young men of the same age. (nearly 57 million) who do not use the Internet”
, estimates the report.
"Bridging the digital gap between girls and boys is not just about providing access to the internet and technology
," said Robert Jenkins, director of education at UNICEF, in a statement.
"It's about empowering girls to become innovators, creators, leaders
. "
The report notes that although girls in general have better basic reading skills, this does not translate into the digital sphere.
Teenage girls and young women are forgotten and left behind when it comes to digital literacy.
»
Unicef
In these countries,
"teenage girls and young women are forgotten and left behind in terms of digital knowledge"
, deplores UNICEF, which highlights in particular the importance of the family environment and education in this situation.
“If we want to tackle gender inequalities in the labor market, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, we must start now by helping young people, especially girls, to acquire skills digital”
, pleaded Robert Jenkins.
The gap is also wide when it comes to access to mobile phones, according to the report.
Thus, in 41 of the countries studied, young girls and women aged 15 to 24 are
"largely disadvantaged"
, with an average 13% chance of owning a mobile phone,
"limiting their access to the digital world" which is
nevertheless essential in the 21st century economy.