The key to womens employability: bridging the digital gender gap

“At the heart of this digital future is the empowerment of people and businesses. The Digital Decade Policy Programme sets specific targets to achieve this, in particular that 80% of European adults have at least a basic level of digital skills and, most importantly, reach 20 million ICT professionals in Europe (compared to 9 million today), while promoting women’s access to this field to reduce the gender gap in the technology sector by 2030.”

In this month of March, equality month, we have all attended an event to commemorate International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8. In this article I reflect on Digital divide, employment, development: keys, benefits and strategies.

The key to women's employability: bridging the digital gender gap

In an increasingly digitalized world, technology has become a fundamental pillar for economic and social development. However, the digital gender gap remains a real barrier limiting women's access to job opportunities in key sectors of the economy. Bridging this gap is not only a matter of equity, but also of global economics and development.

This was stated on March 6, at the event "Equality in the Company: Present and Future Commitment" chaired by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Business and the Minister of Equality, Ms Ana María Redondo, recalling the words of Michelle Bachelet: “Equality is good business”, we all win.

The World Economic Forum estimates that closing the gender gap could take 134 years. Reducing this gap could significantly increase European and Spanish GDP, as diversity drives competitiveness and innovation.

A barrier to employment

Despite advances in digital inclusion, women still have less access to technology, both in the use of devices and in the development of advanced digital skills. In many regions of the world, women are less likely to access the internet, which reduces their chances of training and access to well-paid jobs in the technology sector.

The lack of female representation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers is another reason that perpetuates inequality. Without equal participation in these areas, women are relegated to jobs with less stability and growth prospects.

That was the focus of the working day, also organized this March, by the Inspiring Girls Foundation: “Companies that inspire”, giving voice to women referents, who shared their experiences, challenges and professional opportunities, in addition to the different experiences in equality policies that are being carried out in the companies they represent. Rocío López Rodríguez, Vice President of Human Resources at Stellantis in Spain and Portugal, Beatriz Rubio, Director of Sustainability at OHLA, Inés Juste, President of Grupo Juste and Vice President of the CEOE Foundation, Lucía Jaquotot, Talent Director at EY Spain, among them.

All of us who work to improve and strengthen the digital skills of citizens and professionals are clear about the benefits of closing the digital divide. At Bejob, we know that bridging the digital gender gap has a positive impact both on an individual level and on society at large. Some of the benefits:

1. Increased access to high-paying jobs: Digitization has driven the demand for technological profiles. By improving their digital skills, women can access job opportunities in high-growth and higher-paying sectors.
2. Economic empowerment: Digital training allows women to undertake, access remote jobs and develop new business opportunities, which favors their economic independence.
3. Diversity and innovation: Companies with diverse teams in technology are more innovative and competitive. Bringing more women into the digital world contributes to a more equitable and enriching work environment.
4. Closing the pay gap: Wage inequality is reduced when women enter tech jobs, where pay is based more on skills and experience than on gender.

Strategies to reduce the digital gender gap

To close this gap, it is essential to implement strategies that promote the digital inclusion of women. Some of the key actions include:

• Promoting STEM education from an early age: It is essential to motivate girls and young women to become interested in technological careers through inclusive educational programmes. We have been working from Bejob for more than 5 years on different projects with girls to awaken vocations related to digitalization and technology.
• Digital training and training for women: We teach multiple digital skills programs adapted to the needs of the labor market, with the aim of facilitating the insertion of women in the digital world.
• Access to technology and connectivity: Ensuring access to devices and internet connection is a key step for women to take advantage of digital opportunities.
• Equality policies in companies and organisations: There is currently progress in adopting inclusive recruitment strategies to provide career development opportunities for women in technology. But there is still much work to be done in this regard.

Conclusion

Bridging the digital gender gap is a necessary and urgent action to improve women’s employability and foster their participation in the digital economy. Investing in their training and access to technology not only enables women to access better job opportunities, but also drives economic development and innovation.

Just over 50% of the population in Europe is women, in this sense, digital equity is not only a desirable goal, but a necessity to build a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future.

Progress is being made in recent years, there are more women in management positions, and with access to better and more stable employment. But there is still a lot to be done and we cannot "please ourselves" with the small advances.

Equality and diversity must be at the strategic axis of a country's development, public + private collaboration is the way: commitment to present and future.

Fdo. Mariola García Arellano
Ceo de Bejob Employability
Chair of the Talent Committee at AMETIC