The divide between the haves and have-nots in our world seems to grow starker by the day – especially when it comes to digital technology. Though this chasm has existed for eons, the pandemic cast a bright spotlight on the issue as we grew more reliant on digital savvy to meet the demands of everyday tasks, jobs, healthcare, and education moved online. Some made the transition easily while others struggled.
As a female executive in the technology space, I’ve observed how the contrast between women and men – and their access to digital technology – grew sharper in recent years. First, it’s important that we understand the divide so we can craft the best solutions to fix it.
What is the digital divide?
Let’s define it. In my role as Chief Innovation Officer for Compass Datacenters, I tend to think of digital access in construction terms. That’s why I particularly liked Dr. Julie Albright’s description of the digital divide she shared in a recent podcast [1] interview. I invite you to put on your proverbial hardhat and imagine the divide as she organized it into three pillars of access:
- Presence of a digital device – cell, laptop or desktop device
- Access to digital connectivity – internet service at home
- Access to digital skills – training and understanding how to use technology tools
Julie explained that if any of the three pillars – or combination of the three – is missing, a digital divide exists. But I’d like to expand this description further.
While all three pillars are building blocks of digital accessibility, we must first have a strong foundation. Here, I’m talking about an understanding of why digital know-how is vital to elevating women’s contributions in the workplace as well as those made as mothers, friends, and mentors. Once we get to the why (it’s important), we can address the three pillars of access, tools, and training.
According to an article published by the UN Women [2] organization:
Women and girls remain underrepresented across the creation, use and regulation of technology. They are less likely to use digital services or enter tech-related careers, and significantly more likely to face online harassment and violence. This limits not only their own digital empowerment but also the transformative potential of technology as a whole—over the past decade, women’s exclusion from the digital sphere has shaved $1 trillion [3] off the GDP of low- and middle-income countries.
As UN Women sums up the digital divide issue, the lack of equity and engagement by women in the digital space has huge ramifications, especially in developing countries. While the U.S. and U.K. are more advanced with women in technology, inequity still exists especially among marginalized and minority communities.
Why is this important? Women are falling on the wrong side of the digital divide, which has pressing social and economic consequences.
The article also speaks to the lack of progress in getting more women into the technology field, and I’m here to tell you – and I know Julie agrees – that the lack of female participation and engagement is creating a blind spot. Within the technology industry, there’s a consistent lack of female voices.
Nowhere is the digital divide more apparent than in the developing world, especially when it comes to online learning. According to this article published by the World Economic Forum [4], the women who could benefit most from online learning are those who have the least access to it. The piece further states that in developing countries, women are half as likely to be online compared with their male counterparts, preventing them from participating in the digital economy, at a global cost of billions of dollars in GDP annually.
Supercharging technology: here’s how
Women can supercharge technology development because we bring different experiences and perspectives to the fold. Women think differently based on life experiences, observations, collaborations, and problem-solving, which can deliver innovative solutions that men may not otherwise consider. When we bring more women into a project, we minimize blind spots. As Dr. Albright highlighted, “Bringing more women into developed technology isn’t simply a nice thing to do… it’s an innovative imperative. It actually brings more innovative results.”
Because women are underrepresented in our field, I think we’re missing an opportunity today. To illustrate, think about how we communicate and the differences in how men and women express themselves. I was told once that 70% of what we say is nonverbal. Most communication happens through the way we move our bodies and the facial expressions we make. The cognitive differences between sexes when it comes to creating software and devices in the infrastructure and IT environment is fascinating and highlights an area where we have the opportunity to improve equity.
Bridging the gap
Clearly, we have work to do to bridge the digital divide abroad and at home. But I’m happy to share there are public-private and private-sector partnerships emerging to work towards closing the digital divide. In the private sector, we are creating programs, tools, and education at the grassroots level for underserved populations.
It’s been an honor to take a lead role in founding Infrastructure Masons – or iMasons – as we in the digital infrastructure world know it. The initiative is working to accelerate the adoption and use of digital infrastructure by increasing education and access opportunities for underrepresented communities.
iMasons is taking a real boots-on-the-ground approach. At Cal State Los Angeles, we’re collaborating on training young women, largely Latina and many from first-generation American families, so they, in turn, can train young students and seniors in their communities. This pay-it-forward approach shows great promise, and it’s only one example.
We’re also donating laptops to young mothers, schools, and senior centers. Imagine how a laptop can change the life of a young mother who’s searching for a job or learning new skills. Owning a laptop means she doesn’t have to find childcare to search for a job.
We live in a world driven by digital technology, and it’s no longer a luxury but an imperative for all. Getting involved in closing the digital divide is one way to do your part. I urge everyone – especially women in technology – to learn more about this pressing issue and to get involved. Be the change and let’s make it happen for women and girls in our own backyard and around the world.
Sources:
- www.compassdatacenters.com/compass-u/extending-the-ladder/#bridging-the-digital-divide-driving-towards-digital-equity
- www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/02/power-on-how-we-can-supercharge-an-equitable-digital-future
- www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/Progress-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-gender-snapshot-2022-en_0.pdf
- www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/08/womens-education-digital-divide/
