The European Commission has made supporting the digital transformation a priority of its development cooperation, and the EU’s strategy with Africa identifies it as a strategic pillar. Now Europe must work to get global digitalization right if it is to deliver on its commitments to leave no one behind and achieve Agenda 2030.
The EU and its partner countries should seize the opportunity to invest in digitalization and ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including services, information, and education, as well as promotion of gender equality and human rights in the digital world.
DIGITALISATION AND THE PROMOTION OF GENDER EQUALITY MUST GO HAND IN HAND
The rise of digitalization is undoubtedly one of the most important trends of recent years: more and more people around the world are using the Internet and Internet-based technologies to connect, interact, access services and information, and share ideas.
An estimated 4.1 billion people were using the Internet in 2019. While this represents a 5.3% increase compared with 2018, it still means that only 53% of the world is connected today with people in poorer regions far less likely to be online, along with women and those living in remote and rural areas.
DIGITALISATION OFFERS AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT AROUND THE WORLD, BUT ENSURING EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNET AGE THROWS UP MANY CHALLENGES, AND THE STAKES ARE HIGHEST IN VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.
In order to maximise the impact of the digital transformation, it is important to ensure no one is left behind, especially women and girls. But the significant global gender gap in the access, use, and ownership of digital technologies limit the equitable realisation of their benefits. In the least Developed Countries around only 54% of women now use mobile Internet, with around 300 million fewer women having access than men. Women are also 20% less likely than men to own a smartphone.
Women around the world face unique barriers to fully benefiting from the Internet. These range from digital skills and education gaps to affordability barriers worsened by income inequality, to online harassment and infringements on digital rights. Many of these challenges lie at the root of gender inequalities globally: higher levels of illiteracy, inherent biases and negative gender norms and stereotypes, and lower school attainment rates are among the key obstacles that hinder women and girls’ access to digitalisation.
Closing the digital gender divide is essential if the EU is to achieve its objective of promoting gender equality worldwide, as stated in the new Gender Action Plan. At the same time, the achievement of gender equality is a prerequisite if the EU is to promote a digital transformation that truly leaves no one behind. Promoting gender-transformative development policies, including supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is fundamental to making sure everyone can benefit from the digital transformation.
Finally, digital equality is important not only for individual rights and empowerment but also as a vital driver of economic growth and prosperity, which is another EU priority for its development cooperation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL TOOLS TO PROMOTE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR)
Technology and digital tools can play an essential role in achieving the EU’s objective of achieving gender equality, including by increasing access to reliable, factual information and advice on issues related to SRHR (for example family planning, STI prevention, and counseling, as well as on power balance within relationships and gender identity).
Technology can be used to deliver information and services to people in a simple and accessible manner. Digital applications have been developed to tackle issues ranging from delivering vital health information to pregnant women and girls to reporting instances of sexual and gender-based violence. In many countries, technology can be a viable alternative to fill in the gap on information about sexuality and reproduction when comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is absent from school curricula.
In particular, more and more people around the world are using digital tools to access health services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. It is estimated that some 1.3 billion people used mobile health services in 2018 – an increase of 230 million since the previous year. The European Commission recognises the importance of digital transformation in ‘’improving access to health services in remote areas and by facilitating diagnostics and treatments’’
In developing countries, the use of mobile technology to access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services is especially widespread among young people.
Mobile phones provide a cost-effective, efficient, and highly suitable communication channel for reaching and engaging youth. Digital tools are particularly effective because they reduce stigma, ensure confidentiality, and cut costs and challenges linked to reaching health facilities. Studies have proven that providing SRH information via mobile phones is highly appealing to young people and can positively influence their SRH outcomes, including improving knowledge, reducing risky sexual behavior, and increasing utilisation of health services. It should nevertheless be noted that digital solutions for SRHR are particularly effective when they complement and support the delivery of physical services.
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