UN Commission on the Status of Women
Agenda - Bridging the Gender Digital Divide.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the principal international body of the United Nations (UN) for discussion on the process of developing and implementing international norms and standards related to the empowerment of women and gender equality. It was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. Each year, CSW reports to ECOSOC during the Management Session. The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to and use ICTs, including internet connectivity, internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy skills, and those who do not. The digital divide is a global phenomenon with over 1 billion new internet users having been added over the last five years, while nearly 3.7 billion people were still offline in 2019. As the significant influence of internet connectivity on equity, innovation, and economic progress becomes more widely acknowledged, the availability of affordable and accessible internet has become crucial. Given that numerous fundamental aspects of society now rely on internet access, having accessible digital infrastructure has become a vital component of a basic standard of living. The potential for digital technologies to enhance people's economic and social well-being is vast. However, there are still obstacles when it comes to women accessing and utilizing these technologies.