I'd blush if I could: Closing gender divides in digital skills through education

The publication has three parts: a policy paper and two think pieces.

The POLICY PAPER outlines the persistence and severity of the digital skills gender gap, provides a rationale for interventions, and makes recommendations to help women and girls develop strong digital skills through education.
THINK PIECE 1 explains the ICT gender equality paradox, UNESCO’s finding that countries with the highest levels of gender equality such as those in Europe also have the lowest proportions of women pursuing advanced degrees in computer science and related subjects. Conversely, countries with low levels of gender equality such as those in the Arab region have the highest proportions of women completing advanced technology degrees.

THINK PIECE 2 examines how AI voice assistants projected as young women perpetuate harmful gender biases. It offers recommendations to ensure that the continued proliferation of digital assistants does not widen gender divides. The think pieces are intended to complement the policy brief, but also function as stand-alone products.

The EQUALS Skills Coalition hopes that the three outputs, considered collectively, shine new light on the persistence of digital gender divides and, more importantly, inform education interventions to help women and girls cultivate the digital skills they need to thrive in life, learning and work.