Gender gap even in the use of ICTs

In terms of transparency, Inai pointed out that since the exercise of this right began and to date only 38.5% of requests have been submitted by women

Photo: Roberto Hernández

Alfredo Maza | The Sun of Mexico:Gender gap even in the use of ICTs

In Mexico, in terms of transparency and access to information, the gender gap in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can also be observed , since since the exercise of this right began and to date only 38.5 percent of requests have been submitted by women , stated Norma Julieta del Río Venegas, commissioner of the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (Inai).

“Since 2003, when the exercise of this right began, until February 2020, of the requests for information where the petitioners registered their gender, it can be affirmed that only 38.5 percent were presented by women and 61.5 percent by men ”, he indicated when participating in the table Digital education to combat the gender gap, organized by INFOCDMX.

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For this reason, she pointed out that work should be done so that women can have access to the internet and knowledge, so that in turn they can use them in decision-making in their daily lives, part of the actions that are required to promote the empowerment of women .

“Now (women) work more at home: they are mothers, tutors and professionals at the same time. In addition, economic inequality has been highlighted: families need more technologies. And ignorance in the use of ICT has been shown, so training is required for its adoption, ”he said.

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For her part, Blanca Lilia Ibarra Cadena, Commissioner President of Inai, affirmed that the acceleration of digitization during the Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear that the pre-existing inequalities between men and women at the national and international level will deepen, which is why it was urgent to address the timely gender digital divide.

To achieve this, he explained, a digital education is needed that includes the creation of non-harmful content for gender equality and to raise awareness against cyberbullying or cybersexting.

Photo: Roberto Hernández

In addition, support for the choice of technological studies for girls; the incorporation of the gender perspective in the design and production of new technologies, and the transparency of artificial intelligence systems to tackle biases and discrimination.

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Finally, Eduardo Peñalosa Castro, rector general of the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM), considered that the first condition to achieve a digital education that contributes to closing the gender gap is that women have the necessary means to access new technologies.

“According to ECLAC’s Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, there are two edges of the digital gender gap; the first refers to the differences between men and women in access to computer equipment and in the use of electronic devices and the Internet, while the second considers the existing inequality in accessing information, knowledge and education, through technologies ”, exposed.