Closing the major gender gap in innovation and technology is the focus of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which opened at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
Over the next two weeks, participants from across the world – including representatives from governments, the UN, civil society and youth groups, as well as activists – will examine how gender equality, empowerment and sustainable development can be achieved in the digital era.
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The meeting, known as CSW67, will also highlight online violence and other dangers women and girls face, as well as the need for quality education in the information age.
Perpetuating existing inequalities
In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini said although digital technologies are rapidly transforming societies, they are also giving rise to profound new challenges that may perpetuate and deepen existing gender inequalities.
“Gender-based discrimination is a systemic problem that has been interwoven into the fabric of our political, social and economic lives, and the technology sector is no different,” she said.
“However, this is compounded when you consider the multiple factors that impact and exacerbate this inherent discrimination.”
Vanishing progress
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the CSW is meeting as progress on women’s rights is vanishing – including in countries such as Afghanistan, where women and girls have been, in effect, erased from public life – and as gender equality is growing ever more distant.
“Your focus this year on closing gender gaps in technology and innovation could not be more timely. Because as technology races ahead, women and girls are being left behind,” he said.
“The math is simple: without the insights and creativity of half the world, science and technology will fulfil just half their potential,” he added.
Step up education
As gender inequality is ultimately a question of power, the Secretary-General called for urgent action in three areas, starting with increasing education, income and employment for women and girls, particularly in the Global South.
Furthermore, women’s and girls’ full participation and leadership in science and technology must also be promoted.
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Catalyst for transformation
Mr. Guterres said the international community must also create a safe digital environment for women and girls, outlining his third point. In this regard, the UN is working to advance a code of conduct for information integrity on digital platforms, aimed at reducing harm and increasing accountability.
The Secretary-General stressed that promoting women’s full contributions to science, technology and innovation is not an act of charity or a favour to women, but a “must” that benefits everyone.
“The Commission on the Status of Women is a dynamo and catalyst for the transformation we need. Together, let’s push back against the push back on misogyny, and forward for women, girls, and our world,” he said.
Still a minority
The world needs women’s expertise to address complex and interlocking crises, such as climate change, conflict, poverty, hunger and water scarcity, said the President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi.
However, he noted that women are still a minority in digital information technology, computing, physics, mathematics and engineering, and account for less than 35 per cent of the global information and communications technology workforce.
“They are 20 per cent less likely than men to use the internet – but 27 times more likely to face online harassment or hate speech, when they do. New technologies, if used well, offer a strong and equalizing force to rapidly change this state of affairs,” he said in a video message.
‘Game-changers’ for women
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, was among other senior officials who addressed the CSW opening ceremony.
She said the digital revolution offers the potential for unprecedented improvement in the lives of women and girls, and at a time when progress towards sustainable development is at risk.
“Harnessed effectively, technology and innovation, can be game-changers to catalyse poverty reduction, decrease hunger, boost health, create new jobs, mitigate climate change, address humanitarian crises, improve energy access and make entire cities and communities safer and more sustainable – benefitting women and girls,” she said.
Given the pace of change, Ms. Bahous underlined the need for “a global normative framework” to mobilize technology towards achieving gender equality. She expressed confidence that the meeting will underscore that “digital rights are women’s rights”.
Safeguards, opportunities and investment
The CSW has met annually since 1946, but this is the first in-person gathering since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A special segment will be held where young people will discuss the priority themes, marking another first in the Commission’s history.
Ms. Joyini, the CSW Chair, also outlined some of the objectives of this latest session in her opening remarks.
“We will consider the responsibilities of governments and private sector in ensuring that adequate safeguards, norms and standards exist, and women and girls’ fundamental rights are not violated while using digital technologies,” she said.
There will be calls also to provide more opportunities for women in innovation, as well as funding and investment, and to eliminate algorithms that perpetuate and deepen existing discrimination and biases.
CSW67 will conclude on Friday, 17 March, and dozens of side events are also scheduled in the interim.
They include the UN Secretary-General’s annual dialogue with women’s and feminist civil society groups, a youth forum where particular focus will be given to grassroots and community voices, and a discussion on promoting women’s and girls’ equal social, economic and political rights in Afghanistan.
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In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini said although digital technologies are rapidly transforming societies, they are also giving rise to profound new challenges that may perpetuate and deepen existing gender inequalities. “Gender-based discrimination is a systemic problem that has been interwoven into the fabric of our political, social and economic lives, and the technology sector is no different,” she said. “However, this is compounded when you consider the multiple factors that impact and exacerbate this inherent issue.”
How can we ensure that the discussions at CSW67 lead to tangible actions that effectively address the gender gap in innovation and technology?
To ensure that the discussions at CSW67 lead to tangible actions, it is crucial for all stakeholders to actively engage and commit to implementing the proposed solutions. Only through collaborative efforts and concrete measures can we bridge the gender gap in innovation and technology.
In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini raises critical points about how digital technologies can exacerbate existing gender inequalities. She emphasizes the systemic nature of gender-based discrimination and the challenges it poses in achieving gender equality in the technology sector.
As a woman in the field of technology, I strongly believe that addressing the gender gap is crucial for creating an inclusive and innovative society. We must tackle gender-based discrimination in the tech sector to ensure equal opportunities for all individuals. The initiatives discussed at the CSW67 are a step in the right direction towards empowerment and sustainable development in the digital era.
In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini highlights how gender-based discrimination is a systemic problem that perpetuates and deepens existing gender inequalities, especially in the technology sector. She emphasizes the need for strategies to achieve gender equality, empowerment, and sustainable development in the digital era.
In her opening remarks, Mathu Joyini highlighted how gender-based discrimination in the technology sector is perpetuating and deepening existing inequalities, emphasizing the need for urgent action to achieve gender equality, empowerment, and sustainable development in the digital era.
I believe that addressing the gender gap in innovation and technology is crucial for achieving gender equality and empowerment. The challenges faced by women in the digital era need to be properly acknowledged and addressed to create a more inclusive and safe environment for all.
In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini raises an important point about the existing gender inequalities in the technology sector. She highlights the systemic issue of gender-based discrimination that continues to persist in our political, social, and economic structures. As digital technologies rapidly evolve, it is crucial to address the challenges that may deepen these inequalities. Gender equality, empowerment, and sustainable development in the digital era are key aspects that need urgent attention to bridge the gap in innovation and technology.
As a woman in the tech industry, I wholeheartedly agree with CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini’s remarks. Gender equality in innovation is crucial, and it’s disheartening to see how existing inequalities are perpetuated in the technology sector. We need concrete actions to address these systemic issues and ensure a level playing field for all individuals.
Is the focus on gender equality in innovation really being adequately addressed in the discussions at CSW67? Can it truly lead to tangible changes?
Gender equality in innovation is a crucial issue that must be prioritized in the discussions at CSW67. Only by addressing this effectively can we pave the way for tangible changes that promote empowerment and sustainable development for all.
Do you think initiatives like the one discussed in the article will truly make a difference in closing the gender gap in innovation and technology?