International Women’s Day 2023 : “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”

By Brenda Zulu 

The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. 

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2022/12/international-womens-day-2023-digitall-innovation-and-technology-for-gender-equality

In Zambia the theme gives us an opportunity to highlight the role that digital innovation and technology plays in advancing women's rights and opportunities.

This year we have experienced the changing rainfall patten in the Country following the impact of climate change. Different videos have been captured and shared online by the Media and also by women and men. We have seen how climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly those in low-income and marginalized communities that are currently flooded. The media has shown pictures of women bearing the burden of climate change as they are responsible for caring for their families.

In relation to the theme, digital tools and platforms can help women access climate information, connect with others, and participate in decision-making processes related to climate change. Furthermore, technology can support the development of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture practices that can improve women's economic opportunities and reduce their exposure to climate risks.

The mobile phone and the internet have helped women to communicate with others and access information. The mobile phone has also helped the unbanked to have access to mobile money. This has enabled women to also participate in eCommerce. Women can buy and sale online. 

With the mobile phone and computers women in Zambia have had access to e-learning opportunities. During the pandemic e-learning became more pronounced.

With the convergency of technologies the mobile phone has also helped women who call Radio Stations to participate in governance programs. In this case their voice has been heard and also able to reach a wide audience.

In some cases, technology has supported women's health by providing access to telehealth where they have accessed telemedicine and digital health services. 

On the other hand, there is need to recognise that there is still a gender digital divide among women in the urban and those in the rural areas. How can we promote gender equality, the use of innovations and ensure that technology is gender neutral? How do we address gender biases and promote diversity in the development and use of technology in Zambia.

The gender digital divide needs to be addressed as it has been an issue for a long time. It is a fact that women in the country are underrepresented in the tech industry and face various barriers, such as lack of access to technology and training and gender stereotypes. There is need to close this gap by promoting gender equality in the tech industry and ensuring that technology is developed and used in a way that is inclusive and fair. 

There is need to promote the participation of women in technology fields and access to education and training in tech, promote mentorship and networking opportunities, and encourage the recruitment and retention of women in tech-related jobs.

Also, there is need to ensure that technology is developed in a gender-neutral manner. This means ensuring that technology is accessible and usable to all, regardless of gender. People should avoid biases and stereotypes in the design and implementation of technology. 

For example, facial recognition technology has been criticized for being biased against women and people of color.

https://www.media.mit.edu/articles/facial-recognition-software-is-biased-towards-white-men-researcher-finds/#:~:text=Facial%20recognition%20software%20is%20biased%20towards%20white%20men%2C,and%20the%20conditions%20in%20which%20algorithms%20are%20created  

It is in such a case that developers must continue to work on the technology design to address such biases and ensure that the technology is accurate and fair for all users including women of colour.

It is important to promote diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry and ensure that technology is gender-neutral, so that we can create a more equitable and just world for all.

#IWD23

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