International Women's Day

DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Quality

The role of technology in empowering women entrepreneurs

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of gender equality in entrepreneurship and business ownership. Supporting women’s entrepreneurship is important to achieving women’s economic empowerment.[1]

Women entrepreneurs face a range of unique challenges, including access to funding, networks, and markets. However, innovation and technology are opening up new opportunities for women to start and grow successful businesses.

One area where technology is making a difference is in the creation of online communities and platforms that connect women entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and other resources. These platforms, such as Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Coralus, Women's Business Center, and Women in Business Connect, etc. are helping to break down the barriers that often limit women's access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

In addition, digital literacy and technology education are increasingly recognized as important tools for closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship. By providing women with the skills and knowledge they need to leverage technology in their businesses, we can help to level the playing field and create a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Technology's impact on gender equality also goes beyond entrepreneurship. It also has the potential to transform education, healthcare, and other areas where women and girls face significant disparities. For example, big data and analytics can be used to identify and address gender disparities in healthcare outcomes[2], while mobile banking and fintech can help to increase financial inclusion for women[3].

As we continue to harness the power of innovation and technology for gender equality, it's important to ensure that these tools are accessible and inclusive for all women, regardless of their background or level of experience. By working together to create a more equitable and inclusive future, we can build a better world for everyone.

[1] Abigail Hunt, “How technology can help – or hinder – women entrepreneurs” , ODI https://odi.org/en/insights/how-technology-can-help-or-hinder-women-entrepreneurs/

[2] Golder S, O'Connor K, Wang Y, Stevens R, Gonzalez-Hernandez G. Best Practices on Big Data Analytics to Address Sex-Specific Biases in Our Understanding of the Etiology, Diagnosis, and Prognosis of Diseases. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci. 2022 Aug 10;5:251-267. doi: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122120-025806. Epub 2022 May 13. PMID: 35562851

[3] B Loko and Y Ynag, Fintech, Female Employment, and Gender Inequality. IMF Working Paper (WP/22/108)