Women's access to information and their roles in ICT has become a major global concern, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The organisation says the measured access and lack of control over communications technology as well as the stereotypical portrayal of gender roles are some of the problems that the world is facing today.
“Women's limited access to professional careers and decision making positions, in general, highlight the urgent need for women to enter the debate on the impact of ICTs and to advocate a gender-aware approach,” it adds.
To address this issue, the United Nations' telecoms organisation recently held a roundtable discussion of women leaders in the ICT sector under the banner of the Global Network of Women Decision Markers during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Mexico.
The roundtable consisted of a group of women whose representation included ministers, deputy ministers, CEOs and ITU leaders. The deputy minister of communications, Dina Pule, represented SA.
“During the discussions, the women leaders pledged to create an environment where young women in particular may be assisted to enter the ICT sector whilst finding suitable careers in the sector in the medium to long-term,” the ITU says.
It tasked policy makers, the private sector and civil society to create conditions that maximise the benefits of ICTs and reduce the risks of contributing to the digital and information divide because each is developed in a way that is inconsistent with gender equality and development goals, it says.
The ITU says the end goal is to ensure that women are represented at high-level decision making structures of the ICT sector such as the ITU, as well as in governments, private sector and in the ICT sector in general.
“Some of the suggested initiatives may include projects and programmes such as the creation of women's networks which can provide support for women as well as projects targeted at supporting young women broadly,” it says.
This engagement resolved that the ITU must be persuaded to hold a special day for women in ICTs, the organisation adds.
According to the ITU, this will shape policies that incorporate a gender ethic in the overall realm of ICTs at the global level. It adds that the gender movement is also required to influence legislative and constitutional frameworks at the national level. “It is important for women to be vigilant in engendering ICT policy processes,” it says.
The roundtable took place during the ITU Plenipotentiary conference, running from 4 to 22 October. Some of the issues discussed there were strategies to roll-out of broadband, especially in developing countries and the matter regarding ICTs and climate change.
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