The Digital Divide: Limited Access, Unlimited Risks for Women
Did you know that women and girls form the majority of the estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who lack internet access? According to the ITU’s Facts and Figures 2025, internet usage stands at 70 per cent among men, compared to 65 per cent among women.
This persistent disparity highlights the digital divide, which refers to the gap created by the uneven distribution of information and communication technologies, where some individuals and groups have reliable access to the internet, computers, and smartphones while others do not, resulting in wider economic, educational, and social inequalities.
The gap is wider in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Across 117 LMICs, women are about 19 per cent less likely to use the internet and 8 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than men. In India, 75 per cent of women own mobile phones compared to 85 per cent of men, yet only 35 per cent of women have access to smartphones. Even fewer women use mobile internet with just 37% of women adopting it and only 26% using it regularly.
Various gender-based barriers restrict women’s access to digital technology. Education greatly influences digital inclusion, but many women are excluded due to educational disparities and limited digital skills. Economically, women often depend on men for devices and data. Social norms and household responsibilities also restrict women’s use of digital devices, limiting their participation.
Even when women overcome barriers to access and enter digital space, their participation is limited by persistent safety risks. Global data reveals alarming rates of online harassment and abuse with women, girls, and gender-diverse people disproportionately affected. Notably, 52% of young women worldwide report experiencing digital harm and 87% believe these risks are worsening.
Research further shows that fear of such harms significantly reduces women’s online participation. Surveys indicate women are less comfortable expressing their opinions on digital platforms due to the threat of harassment and abuse, which leads to self-censorship and withdrawal.
Safety concerns restrict women entrepreneurs from fully using digital platforms, limiting their growth and financial independence. Severe online abuse has caused lasting harm to women journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. Over two-thirds have experienced online violence and more than 40% report real-world harm linked to digital abuse.
Emerging risks such as AI-generated explicit content and deepfakes like those targeting actress Rashmika Mandanna have intensified women’s fears, pushing some to reduce their online presence or avoid digital spaces altogether.
Addressing the digital divide requires a dual focus on expanding access and ensuring safe, inclusive digital environments where women can participate fully without fear of harm.
https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/backgrounders/Pages/bridging-the-gender-divide.aspx
https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.19037
https://apnews.com/article/un-women-report-rise-violence-online-66c38bb80b79d64be18b477f209c2db0
https://www.itu.int/itu-d/reports/statistics/2025/10/15/ff25-the-gender-digital-divide/