As we commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8th, the theme #AccelerateAction calls us to step forward with urgency and solidarity to tackle the systemic barriers that continue to hinder gender equality, especially in the digital age. In many parts of the world, the digital divide disproportionately affects women, limiting their access to opportunities and preventing them from fully participating in the digital economy. In Africa, these challenges are even more pronounced, with deeply entrenched inequalities in access, literacy, safety, and opportunity. This year, as we observe IWD 2025, it is important to not only reflect on the progress made but also intensify efforts to overcome the persistent barriers preventing women from fully benefiting from the digital world.
Economic Opportunities and the Digital Economy
The digital economy offers significant potential for women to access new markets, start businesses, and gain financial independence. However, significant barriers remain in terms of access to funding, mentorship, and digital financial services. Digital platforms offer African women new avenues for entrepreneurship, enabling them to reach a broader customer base, access global markets, and create businesses from their homes. Platforms such as social media, e-commerce websites, and mobile payment systems have enabled women to launch and scale businesses with relatively low startup costs. However, women entrepreneurs often face challenges such as difficulty accessing credit, limited access to networks and mentorship, and gender biases in funding opportunities. The rise of mobile money services like M-Pesa in Kenya has revolutionised financial inclusion for women across Africa, particularly in rural areas. However, despite these advancements, many women remain excluded from financial services due to barriers such as limited digital literacy, lack of trust in digital platforms, and legal and societal restrictions.
The Digital Divide in Africa: A Gendered Challenge
The digital divide remains one of the most pressing issues for women in Africa today, as they are frequently left behind in the race to access essential digital resources such as the internet, smartphones, and other digital devices. While digital tools and technologies have the potential to unlock opportunities for economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and political participation, women in Africa are often excluded from fully benefiting from these advancements. The gendered nature of the digital divide in Africa is shaped by several interlinked factors that exacerbate existing inequalities.
Digital Access and Infrastructure
While internet access has improved globally, a significant disparity remains in many African countries. In rural regions, access to basic infrastructure such as electricity and internet connectivity is limited, and this gap disproportionately affects women. Rural women often face not only infrastructural challenges but also cultural and economic barriers to accessing technology. In many communities, the decision-making power over resources like digital tools is often concentrated in the hands of men, leaving women without access to the devices that could help them break free from poverty and inequality.
The urban-rural divide is another crucial factor in digital access. While women in urban centers may have more access to the internet and technology, those living in rural areas often struggle to connect with the outside world. For instance, only the GSMA’s Mobile Gender Gap Report 2023 indicates that women in Sub-Saharan Africa are 36% less likely than men to adopt mobile internet, a gap that has remained relatively unchanged since 2017. Similarly, a Gallup analysis highlights that in 22 Sub-Saharan African countries, women lag behind men in internet access by at least 10 percentage points.The lack of access to affordable data plans, smartphones, and computers makes it even harder for women to participate in online education, business, and activism, all of which are vital in today’s world. Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union’s Facts and Figures 2023 report reveals that globally, 70% of men and 65% of women use the internet, resulting in 244 million more men than women online.
Digital Literacy and Skills Development
Even when women have access to technology, they often lack the skills necessary to use these tools effectively. Digital literacy rates are much lower among women compared to men, particularly in rural areas. Without adequate digital skills, women are left out of economic opportunities in the growing digital economy.
Low Digital Literacy
Studies have shown that women in Africa are less likely to receive formal education or training in technology compared to their male counterparts. The gender gap in digital literacy, which exists both within the formal education system and in informal settings, prevents many women from gaining the skills needed to compete in the digital economy. This challenge is particularly acute for women living in rural areas, who may not have access to digital education initiatives or online courses that could help them gain the skills required to thrive in a digital world.
Education and Empowerment
In many African societies, traditional gender roles often prioritise women's responsibilities in the home, limiting their opportunities to engage in educational or professional pursuits, especially in fields like technology. Cultural norms may label technology and science as “male” fields, discouraging girls from envisioning themselves in these careers. Efforts to close the gender gap in digital literacy have been underway in many African countries, with NGOs, international organisations, and governments launching initiatives aimed at providing digital training for women and girls. Programs that teach women how to use mobile phones, access the internet, and engage in e-commerce and online financial services have been particularly transformative. These programs are not only equipping women with essential skills but also empowering them to become active participants in their communities and economies. However, while enrollment rates for girls have improved, significant gaps remain in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. UNESCO estimates that only 30% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa receive STEM training, leading to underrepresentation in tech fields. Also, entrenched stereotypes about women's roles in society contribute to their underrepresentation in tech. Cultural biases and societal perceptions often deem technology as a male-dominated field, discouraging women from pursuing careers in this sector.
Consequently, this leads to women’s underrepresentation in the tech industry and leadership roles within the digital sector in Africa. In most instances, the few women who do make it into tech roles face barriers such as unequal pay, gender discrimination, and a lack of mentorship. This underrepresentation has long-term consequences, as the lack of female perspectives in the development of new technologies means that digital products and services often fail to meet the needs of women. Moreover, the absence of women in leadership positions within digital companies means that the voices advocating for gender equality in tech are often drowned out by a male-dominated narrative. According to UNESCO, women make up only 30% of tech professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting a significant gender gap in the sector. The gaps in representation not only limits women’s opportunities in the tech field but also affects the design and development of digital technologies. There are several efforts to bridge the divide. In Rwanda, organisations like Girls in ICT Rwanda are actively working to bridge the gender gap by offering mentorships, boot camps, and innovation competitions to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology. From 2017, the African Development Bank launched initiatives such as the ‘50 Million Women Speak Digital Platform’ to empower women entrepreneurs with digital skills and access to markets, aiming to reduce the gender gap in the digital economy.
Gender-Based Violence Online
In Africa, the rise of digital technology has reshaped communication, education, and economic empowerment. However, it has also given rise to new forms of gender-based violence.These issues are becoming increasingly prevalent among African women as they increasingly take up space in the digital realm. They are often met with resistance. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV) encompasses various forms, including cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, doxing, intimate image abuse, trolling, and deep fakes. These manifestations disproportionately affect women, especially in Africa. Women in public spaces, especially those advocating for gender equality, reproductive rights, or social justice, are frequent targets of online abuse. In many cases, this harassment takes the form of threats, misogynistic language, and gender-based violence, often designed to silence women and intimidate them into withdrawing from public discourse. This not only silences women’s voices but also discourages others from speaking out or participating in online communities.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has recognised the urgency of this issue. In Resolution 522, the ACHPR calls for member states to review and adopt legislation combating all forms of digital violence. This includes expanding the definition of gender-based violence to encompass digital violence against women, such as cyber-harassment, cyberstalking, and sexist hate speech. Despite these calls for action, enforcement mechanisms remain inadequate. In Nigeria, for instance, activists and civil society organisations have called for a state of emergency due to the alarming surge in gender-based violence. The Femicide Observatory reported 17 cases in January 2025 alone, a 240% increase from the previous year, with an additional five cases by mid-February. Activists argue that misogynistic content online and lax legislation have created an environment conducive to such violence.
Trolling and Misinformation:
The spread of misinformation and disinformation is another significant concern for women in the digital space. Public figures, especially women politicians and activists, are often the targets of online smear campaigns. These campaigns are aimed at undermining their credibility, spreading lies, and deterring others from supporting them. For African women who are already marginalised, the spread of false information can have severe real-world consequences, including reputational damage and threats to their personal safety. In Africa, gendered disinformation is strategically employed to silence critics and exclude women from online civic discussions. This tactic not only damages the reputations of female politicians and activists but also discourages others from engaging in political discourse.
Women in politics often face relentless online harassment designed to undermine their credibility and force them out of public life. This includes the spread of disinformation, doctored images, and sexualised attacks aimed at discrediting their qualifications and portraying them as unfit for leadership. These attacks often escalate during election seasons and are strategically used to silence women, especially in male-dominated political spaces. Gendered disinformation during elections often involves sexist and misogynistic content aimed at distorting public perceptions of female candidates. This strategy not only harms the individuals targeted but also poses a threat to democratic processes by discouraging women's participation in politics. For example, Kenyan legislator Judy Kengo was subjected to a doctored photo campaign aimed at discrediting her shortly after her election, while other women, such as Diane Rwigara and Millicent Omanga, have faced similar online smear campaigns. Similarly, Ferial Haffajee, a South African journalist, was subjected to a coordinated gendered disinformation campaign that falsely accused her of corruption, collusion, and promiscuity. This campaign was a direct response to her investigative reporting on state capture, highlighting the intersection of gendered disinformation and professional journalism in Africa.
In addition, artificial intelligence and digital manipulation tools, such as deepfakes, exacerbates the situation, with platforms amplifying harmful content for profit while failing to invest adequately in digital safety, particularly in Africa. In South Africa, the right to identity is under threat due to deepfakes, with AI-generated content infringing upon individuals’ likenesses and voices, highlighting the need for legal frameworks to address such violations. As a result, many women are discouraged from participating in politics or engaging in online spaces altogether, fearing the toxic impact of such harassment. Platforms often amplify harmful content for profit, failing to invest adequately in digital safety measures. For instance, Facebook users in some African countries are exposed to higher levels of violent content, hate speech, and misinformation, underscoring the platform's shortcomings in protecting users from harmful material. The surge in disinformation campaigns across Africa has destabilising and antidemocratic consequences, further emphasising the urgency for robust digital safety investments.
Privacy and data protection
Privacy and data protection are pressing issues for women in Africa's digital landscape. Women’s personal information is often more vulnerable to exploitation, and many African countries lack robust data protection laws to safeguard their digital rights.Women in Africa face unique challenges regarding digital privacy. They are disproportionately vulnerable to data breaches and other forms of cybercrime. Factors such as lower internet access, reduced digital literacy, and a higher likelihood of experiencing cyberstalking and online harassment contribute to this vulnerability. Sensitive data related to gender and sexuality requires special protection. Despite the growing importance of digital privacy, many African nations lack comprehensive legal frameworks to protect women's digital rights. While 36 African countries have enacted data protection legislation in the last decade, there is often a disconnect between policy objectives and actual implementation. This gap leaves women exposed to exploitation and undermines efforts to protect their personal data. The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (the Malabo Convention) establishes general rules on personal data protection, electronic commerce, and cybersecurity across the continent. However, its effectiveness depends on its adoption and enforcement by member states, which varies widely.
Notably, in terms of cybersecurity, women represent a small percentage of cybersecurity professionals globally, highlighting a significant gender gap in this critical field. Although recent data indicates a higher representation, the number is still significantly lower than that of men. According to a 2024 report by The Female Quotient and Deloitte Global, women make up approximately 25% of the cybersecurity workforce. Similarly, a 2022 report by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC) found that women constitute about 24% of the global cybersecurity workforce. Addressing the challenges of privacy and data protection for women in Africa’s digital landscape requires strengthened legal frameworks, improved enforcement mechanisms, and increased awareness about digital rights.
Gender Bias in Technology:
Gender biases embedded in the algorithms of technology platforms, from search engines to social media algorithms, further reinforce the exclusion of women. For example, AI systems often have gender biases that exclude women or misrepresent their needs, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. In the social media space, women’s contributions are often undervalued, and they are disproportionately subject to online harassment, reinforcing the idea that women’s voices are not as valuable or credible as those of men. Gender bias in technology can be particularly harmful due to existing social inequalities and limited access to technology for women. For instance, in some regions, women face barriers to internet access and digital literacy, which impacts their ability to participate fully in the digital economy. AI systems also often fail to account for the cultural and socio-economic realities of African women. This leads to the marginalisation of women’s voices and concerns, particularly in areas like healthcare, where AI-driven diagnostics and services may not reflect the needs of African women.
Gaps in Legal Protection
Gaps in legal protections for women in the digital sphere is a critical challenge. While some African countries have introduced laws to address online violence and harassment, many of these laws are outdated, poorly enforced, or nonexistent. Women who experience online violence often have limited recourse and face difficulties in seeking justice. For instance, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the criminal justice system often lack responsiveness and digital expertise to address these issues effectively. In Nigeria, despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak, and misogynistic content online contributes to a culture of violence against women. High-profile cases, such as the murders of Emrich Effanga and Mutiat Sholola, highlight the urgent need for effective legal action and cultural change.
This inadequacy underscores the necessity for specialised training and resources to handle cyberviolence cases. In addition to legal solutions, the ACHPR Resolution 522 emphasises the need to address the root causes of digital violence against women. The resolution calls for awareness-raising programmes targeting boys and men, aiming to change social and cultural attitudes and promote respect for women's rights online.
Call to Action: Accelerating Action for Women’s Rights in the Digital Age
As we reflect on women’s rights in the digital age, we should commit to concrete actions that address the systemic barriers hindering women’s full participation in the digital world. The challenges are clear, but so are the opportunities for change.
- Support digital literacy programmes for women: Empowering women with digital skills increases their economic opportunities, improves their personal security, and amplifies their voices in the digital age.
- Advocate for better legal protections: Legal protections provide women with the requisite tools for seeking justice when they face online harassment, helping reduce the prevalence of violence in digital spaces.
- Champion women in tech: Increasing women’s representation in the tech sector ensures that digital products and services meet the needs of all users, particularly women. It also helps create a more inclusive digital world.
- Engage in advocacy for safe online spaces: Creating safer digital spaces empowers women to engage in civic participation, activism, and leadership without the fear of harassment or retaliation.
- Raise awareness and educate communities: Awareness and education are the first steps toward promoting cultural change, challenging societal norms, and inspiring individuals to take action for gender equality in the digital space.
- Support the right to digital privacy: Women’s ability to control their personal data is essential to their autonomy, freedom of expression, and safety online.
Conclusion
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, it is essential to recognise opportunities and challenges women face in the digital age. While the digital realm offers women in Africa unprecedented opportunities for empowerment and economic growth, it also presents significant risks that must be addressed. By closing the digital gender gap, empowering women with the necessary digital skills, and combating online harassment and discrimination, we can accelerate the path to gender equality.
#AccelerateAction this International Women’s Day, not just with words, but with concrete actions that dismantle the barriers to women’s participation in the digital age. Whether through grassroots initiatives, policy reforms, or international collaborations, the collective action we take today can ensure that the digital world becomes an inclusive, equitable space for all women, everywhere. Together, we can make the digital future a reality for women across Africa.
