Page 106 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

New ITU Data Reveal Growing Internet Uptake but a Widening Digital Gender

Divide

New data released by ITU reveal that in most countries worldwide women
are still trailing men in benefiting from the transformational power of
digital technologies. Measuring digital development: Facts and figures
2019, the first publication in ITU’s new Measuring digital development
series, estimates that over half the total global female population (52
per cent) is still not using the Internet, compared to 42 per cent of all
men. Overall, the proportion of all women using the Internet globally is
48 per cent, against 58 per cent of all men. More men than women use
the Internet in every region of the world except the Americas, which has
near-parity. ITU data show that while the digital gender gap has been
shrinking in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe, it
is growing in Africa*, the Arab States and the Asia-Pacific region. It is
widest in developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries.
“ITU’s Measuring digital development reports are a powerful tool to better
understand connectivity issues, including the growing digital gender
divide, at a time when over half of the world’s population is using the
Internet,” said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary General. “ITU statistics help
policy-makers and regulators make informed policy decisions to connect
the unconnected and track progress at the global level.”
Mobile networks – and the mobile phone gender gap
ITU data show that 97 per cent of the world population now lives within
reach of a mobile cellular signal and 93 per cent within reach of a 3G
(or higher) network. In the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe,
over 95 per cent of the population is covered by a 3G or higher mobile
broadband network. In the Arab States the figure stands at 91 per cent;
the Commonwealth of Independent States, 88 per cent; and Africa, 79 per
cent. Of the 85 countries that provided data on mobile phone ownership,
61 have a higher proportion of men with mobile phones than women. Of
the 24 remaining countries where there is gender parity in mobile phone ITU estimates that 57 per cent of households globally
ownership, or where more women have mobile phones than men, Chile will have Internet access at home. However, the number
has the highest digital gender gap in favor of women at 12 per cent. ITU of households with a computer at home is only expected
data confirm a correlation between the mobile phone ownership gender to rise by about one percentage point - to 49.7 per cent
gap and the Internet gender gap: countries where the mobile phone - between 2018 and 2019. Slowing growth in domestic
ownership gender gap is large also have a high number of women not computer ownership is accounted for by the fact that in
using the Internet. Given that mobile phones are the most-often used many countries computers are no longer needed for home
means of accessing the Internet, addressing the issue of women’s mobile Internet access, with people simply connecting over smart
phone ownership could help reduce the Internet gender divide. phones.
3.6 billion People still offline Barriers to Internet use
ITU data confirm that Internet use continues to grow globally, with 4.1 Affordability and lack of digital skills remain some of the
billion people now using the Internet, or 53.6% of the global population. key barriers to the uptake and effective use of the Internet,
However, an estimated 3.6 billion people remain offline, with the majority especially in the world’s Least Developed Countries. In
of the unconnected living in the Least Developed Countries where an 40 out of 84 countries for which data are available, less
average of just two out of every ten people are online. “Connecting the than half the population has basic computer skills, such
3.6 billion people still offline to the power of digital technologies must as copying a file or sending an e-mail with an attachment.
become one of our most urgent development priorities,” said Doreen Although more data are needed, initial findings indicate
Bogdan-Martin, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development a strong and pressing need for governments to focus
Bureau. “Multi-stakeholder collaboration will be key to making universal on measures to develop digital skills, particularly in the
and meaningful connectivity a reality for all. It will require targeted efforts developing world. “Even where connectivity exists, we
to lower the cost of broadband and innovative policies to finance network need to be more creative in addressing critical issues
rollout to unconnected populations.” Internet use in developed countries like affordability of service, cost of handsets, and lack
is nearing saturation levels, with close to 87 per cent of individuals online. of digital skills and literacy to enable more people – and
Europe is the region with the highest Internet use (82.5 per cent), while especially women – to participate and flourish in the
Africa is the region with the lowest (28.2 per cent). By the end of 2019, digital economy,” says Ms. Bogdan-Martin.

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