The World Bank has reiterated its commitment to closing the gender gap in technology and science by supporting initiatives that empower women with digital skills and STEM education.

In a recent blog post on its website, the World Bank emphasized that while digital technologies can unlock economic opportunities for women, they also risk widening the digital divide if existing gender inequalities are not addressed.

“The World Bank Group is working with partners to close the digital divide so women and girls can reap more economic, entrepreneurial, and job benefits from the digital transformation,” the institution stated.

Persistent Gender Disparities in ICT

Despite the increasing demand for digital skills worldwide, the World Bank noted that women and girls remain underrepresented in information and communication technology (ICT) education and careers.

According to data from the World Bank’s Gender Data Portal, the percentage of female ICT graduates varies widely across countries. For instance:

• The Gambia, Jordan, and Sint Maarten record over 50% female ICT graduates.
• In contrast, the Maldives sees as low as 10%.

Global Initiatives to Bridge the Gender Gap

To tackle this inequality, the World Bank is supporting programmes aimed at increasing:

• Digital skills for women and girls.
• Access to digital platforms and services.
• Inclusive digital public infrastructure to promote equity.

The institution highlighted that education plays a crucial role in improving women’s participation in the formal labour market, enabling them to secure higher incomes. However, in most countries, female students make up less than 50% of STEM graduates.

Country-Specific Programmes for Women’s Empowerment

The World Bank is partnering with governments and local agencies worldwide to improve education and employment opportunities for women in tech-related fields.

In the Republic of Benin, the Youth Inclusion Project—through the Azôli programme—is addressing unemployment and underemployment among women and youth with limited education.

Similarly, in the Kyrgyz Republic, the Livelihoods for Youth Community Support Project aims to bridge the employment gap for women by enhancing skills development and employability.

A Future of Inclusive Digital Growth

Through these initiatives, the World Bank is working to ensure women are not left behind in the global digital transformation. The organisation continues to advocate for policies and investments that promote inclusive economic growth and gender equality in the digital economy.