World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

The effects of digital exclusion are interconnected, limiting not just individual potential, but also the resilience of communities and the performance of economies. On individuals : When women and girls gain digital access and skills , they unlock educational, professional, and social opportunities, from becoming entrepreneurs to obtaining essential health, financial and government services. On communities : Inclusive digital participation fosters stronger, more resilient communities by ensuring diverse perspectives and locally relevant solutions. When women and girls benefit from and contribute to digital transformation , communities are strengthened by increased innovation and greater social cohesion. On economies : Equality for all women and girls fuels economic growth by driving diversity, innovation, and productivity. According to the IMF, narrowing gender gaps in labor markets could boost GDP by up to 8% in emerging and developing economies.

Digital technologies have the power to accelerate progress across every sector of society, yet that potential remains out of reach for many. Of the 2.6 billion people still unconnected, the majority are women and girls . The  Gaps in access and affordability of the internet and digital devices , as well as limited digital skills , continue to hinder the participation of women and girls in today’s economy and in shaping tomorrow’s digital solutions . Bridging this divide is essential to unlocking new pathways for economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development . The  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025 highlights the pressing need to advance digital gender equality , so that women and girls everywhere can also benefit from and contribute to digital transformation. As the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action , WTISD-25 is a critical moment to accelerate collective action that ensures digital transformation delive...

Despite progress, inequality remains a barrier to digital inclusion . According to Facts and Figures 2024 : 70% of men use the Internet globally , compared to 65% of women, a gap that leaves 189 million more men online than women worldwide. While the digital gender gap has narrowed in many developed countries, it has widened in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where only 29% of women are using the internet compared to 41% of men. Gaps persist not only in access, but also in affordability, digital skills , participation in STEM , and leadership in the tech sector . These gaps not only disadvantage women and girls, they also hinder economic growth, innovation in countries around the world, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .  

  According to ITU estimates, by 2025, 280 million more men than women are expected to use the internet globally. While 77% of men are online, only 71% of women have access. Bridging this gap is essential for inclusive digital growth and opportunities for women and girls worldwide. The GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE ( EQUALS ) contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda through actions and evidence-based research aimed at closing the global gender digital divide. By promoting awareness, building political commitments, leveraging resources and knowledge, harnessing the capacities of partners, and supporting real action, EQUALS seeks to achieve digital gender equality . Generation Connect is a leading platform to engage, specifically with global youth and encourage Youth participation as equal partners alongside the leaders of today’s digital change, empowering young people with thedigital skills and opportunities to advance their vision of conn...