WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

Digital technologies affect nearly every aspect of life today. As we look at the global agenda and Uganda’s recently unveiled Digital Transformation Roadmap, it is of utmost importance that we ensure that they strengthen women’s full and meaningful participation in the digital age. According to the World Wide Web Foundation's Women’s rights online report, the gender gap in basic Internet access stands at almost 43% in Uganda. Gender biases, discrimination, and stereotyping are being perpetuated and even amplified, in some implementations of AI technologies, the data they rely on, and their uses. Precise actions are needed to ensure these tools do not spread and reinforce inequality and discrimination and instead, that we use AI to combat the gender gaps.

To close the digital gap, we must be intentional about addressing some key factor, for instance, advancing the economic empowerment of women, particularly vulnerable and marginalized women, through technology. Increased participation of women in E-commerce not only lowers barriers to entry than traditional brick-and-mortar businesses but also enhances Market linkages through online platforms. It leads to the promoting of business growth while giving more women Flexible working hours which are much needed given their traditional care tacker roles. Whether it’s taking care of children, a sick relative or managing one’s household, working online, presents a solution for many women to earn an income while juggling the traditional roles.

However, along with the flexibility and freedoms afforded by use of the internet comes data privacy issues and online safety concerns for women and girls that are implicated by technology. Among these is the bias that is compounded when age, class and gender intersect. Harassment, and threats of violence online. For instance, in a case where a woman needs to leave a violent relationship, her location and the confidentiality of such information comes into issue as she uses digital tools.

The marginalized and vulnerable female litigants who cannot afford services of attorneys, are further exposed to negative implications on the privacy and security of their information due to heavy reliance on common user facilities like internet cafes and kiosks. Such exposure leads to exploitation by companies which gain access to women's most intimate, personal information and use it for monetary gain. E.g, health and sexual data being used to manipulate women through highly targeted ads.

The challenge for us all is: How might we leverage the legal community and multistakeholder activities to strengthen the full respect of law, particularly women’s rights as recognized in instruments of the human rights framework both internationally and at home, within this fast-paced era of digital innovation?

We must challenge ourselves to use technology to help overcome barriers to societal, justice, or economic inclusion. Some of the solutions applied in that regard which we can replicate in Uganda include:

• Easing access to resources necessary for acquiring digital tools. Hire purchase/ Smart phone schemes have worked well in Kenya, where Mkopa partnered with Safaricom and Samsung to launch a Smartphone hire purchase plan.
• Access to a reliable internet connection. Internet access is prohibitively expensive in Africa as a whole. As the Ugandan Government moves towards digitalization of service delivery with platforms like ECCMIS and the OBRS, it must take steps to ease access to affordable internet as a citizen right.
• Digital literacy. Skilling programs that enable the direct use of technologies, such as good comprehension of emerging technologies and their applications. E.g., the Code Queen program.
• Solar power for rural homes with innovative financing schemes. These have enabled Zimbabwe to power many rural homes and enhance their participation in the digital age.
• More women in leadership roles. Women who are active players in the digital economy should be involved in policymaking.

It’s important to recognize the key players who have dedicated their work towards improving the participation of women and girls in the digital economy E.g., Women In Technology Uganda (WITU) who ‘re equipping women and girls with digital skills. We call upon the duty bearers to foster collaboration with such private sector players for bigger impact, and to create a conducive regulatory environment for digital inclusion to thrive.