The influence of technology on our lives is undeniable. From a mouse click, or screen tap, to AI-powered analytics and blockchain applications, we have unprecedented power to connect, create, and catalyse change from the tips of our fingers. This year’s International Youth Day puts young people at the forefront of today’s digital revolution. Empowered with the tools and the enthusiasm to accelerate progress towards sustainable development, young people are harnessing the power of technology, embracing innovation, and collaborating across borders. Yet, equality in digital access remains elusive for young women and girls.
Digital rights are women’s rights; digital inclusion and literacy are critical to the well-being and success of women and girls in society, including their ability to take an informed part in electoral processes and exercise their right to vote and to stand for election. Yet, stark gender disparities in digital access persist, particularly for young women and girls in low-income countries, where only 20 per cent are connected. This gap widens in the least developed countries, where, despite extensive mobile broadband coverage, only one quarter of the population is online. The gender digital divide is most pronounced among marginalized groups, such as young women and girls in rural areas and those with disabilities. It is further complicated by socioeconomic status, race, and location, among other factors. Furthermore, online violence disproportionately affects young women and girls. One global study found that 58 per cent of girls and young women have experienced some form of online harassment, highlighting the urgent need for policies and mechanisms that prioritize their safety and security in digital spaces.
At the same time, the digital landscape presents boundless opportunities to drive progress. The 2024 Summit of the Future and the Global Digital Compact, in conjunction with the 30th anniversary review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) in 2025, place young women and girls at the centre of the digital agenda and at the forefront of our future. In line with the agreed conclusions of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), these intergovernmental milestones will aim to harness digital technology for sustainable development and to enhance the digital agency of young women and girls, fostering both participation and leadership in the digital economy. At the same time, they will seek to formulate strong, effective policies that eradicate online violence and create safe digital environments for young people, especially young women and girls in all their diversity.
Individuals like Hawa Yokie demonstrate the importance of local leadership in realizing these global goals. As the co-founder and CEO of the Kamara Yokie Innovation Centre (KYIC), her efforts have significantly enhanced Sierra Leone’s visibility in the global STEM community and underscored the power of partnerships between the diaspora, local communities, and government in cultivating technological competencies among young people.
Our collective efforts must focus on dismantling barriers—such as limited access to digital tools, gender biases in technology design, and insufficient educational resources—and fostering inclusive environments that recognize and nurture the leadership potential of every young woman and girl across the globe in the digital age. It is imperative to implement comprehensive policies that ensure equitable access to technology and the internet, advance STEM education tailored to the needs of girls, and protect them from online harassment and exploitation. By translating these commitments into action, clicks can indeed lead to substantial progress, creating a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future where the leadership potential of every young woman and girl is fully realized and celebrated.
