UN Secretary-General warns of the gender digital gap as the new face of gender inequality
António Guterres highlighted the gender digital gap as a new face of gender inequality, emphasizing the male chauvinist dominance of new technologies. Civil society representatives addressed issues such as the gender gap, gender-based violence, and the exclusion of women and girls from decision-making places.
The gender digital gap is quickly evolving into the new face of gender inequality, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who made this statement during a town hall with women’s civil society on 13 March as part of the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. He emphasized technology’s role in the current global pushback against gender equality in his opening comments, saying that the male chauvinist dominance of new technologies was undoing decades of advancements for women’s rights. ‘Technology is now reversing that trend’ after more than 100 years of advancement. To the detriment of everyone, it is once again consolidating power in the hands of men.
While civil society highlighted the persistent issues of the gender gap in technology, the rising incidents of gender-based violence, and the exclusion of women and girls from decision-making positions, these concerns were repeatedly emphasized throughout the session, indicating a growing need to address these issues and work towards a more equitable society.
