Technology: a great opportunity to empower women
Technology is advancing at an impressive rate, and so is its impact on society. Modern technology influences every single aspect of the world including politics, social movements, education, health, business…the list is endless. This new horizon has become a necessity; we use technology for basically everything. Technology represents an amazing opportunity for accelerating certain processes, including women empowerment.
Around 42% of the world’s population now has access to internet, and 28% of those people connected to the internet are using social media. There are around 2.4 million computers, tablets and smartphones being used around the world, and numbers keep on rising. According to the World Development Index, the amount of technological tools will duplicate each year between 2015 and 2020. Technology is an undeniable part of our daily lives, and as such, it has the potential to contribute to the wellbeing of humanity.
The internet is a tool which may be used to increase communication, productivity and learning. People embrace and use digital technologies to become more knowledgeable, connected and effective. It simplifies certain processes, which equals to a never before imagined level of efficiency. The power of social networks grants the possibility of conveying messages in less than a second, at only a few clicks away. Of course, there are setbacks to digital technology and it does not replace tangible, real life experiences. Digital technology has, without a doubt, been an influence on negative levels of alienation, social media addiction, dangerous businesses, bullying and a harmful dependency on likes.
The good news is that technology is helping close the gender gap, mainly in the workplace. There are multiple advantages of building more diverse and inclusive organisations. New technologies can help accelerate women’s career progression, reduce the gender pay gap, increase networking activities, and encourage a balance between personal and professional activities.
Emerging technological tools are giving women new ways to empower their professional lives. Technology provides means and resources to change the rules of the game. It allows companies to manage their remote workforce with accountability and efficiency. When women and men have the possibility to work from home and in flexible schedules, they can manage their professional and personal lives in a more productive and satisfactory scheme. This is a way to break down geographic and physical barriers, but also to reduce significant obstacles that women face in their professional advancement.
Women empowerment is a massive opportunity. It is not only about justice, but a powerful ecomic incentive. Gender equality contributes to economic growth, social development, and poverty reduction. It is not only a pressing moral and social issue, but also a critical economic challenge. If women do not achieve their full economic potential, the global economy will suffer; $12 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025 by advancing women’s equality. Adequately used technology is a tool which can have a significant impact in our surroundings, and generate real change towards gender equality.
