International Day of the Girl Child.
Today we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. This year’s theme is “Digital generation. Our generation.” The global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital platforms for education, work and connection. However, approximately 2.2 billion people under the age of 25 do not have access to the internet at home. This disproportionately affects girls. The gender gap for global internet users increased from 11% in 2013 to 17% in 2019. In the least developed countries in the world, this is around 43%.
This divide means that girls are less likely than boys to own devices and obtain access to tech-related skills and jobs:
“Only by addressing the inequity and exclusion that span geographies and generations can we usher in a digital revolution for all, with all”.