As the world gets ready to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the focus is on the progress made towards gender equality, the issues that still persist, and the theme for this year’s event. The United Nations has set the theme for 2023 as “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” highlighting the importance of technology in advancing women’s rights while also addressing the growing digital gender gap that has far-reaching impacts on women’s job opportunities and safety online.
The digital gender gap is staggering, with 259 million fewer women having access to the internet than men. Women are also underrepresented in STEM careers, further exacerbating the issue. The U.N. website emphasizes the need to bring women into technology to create more innovative solutions and meet women’s needs, resulting in more gender equality.
However, the celebration of International Women’s Day is not limited to technological advancements. Longstanding issues such as poverty and violence against women continue to persist. According to a report by the World Health Organization, nearly one in three women worldwide is subjected to physical or sexual violence during her lifetime, underscoring the need for women’s economic opportunities, access to sex education, and reproductive rights.
In recent years, there has been a push to make IWD more inclusive of racialized women and the LGBTQ+ community, recognizing the contributions of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals in the fight for gender equality.
While the event is an opportunity to raise awareness about the gender gaps that still exist, it is also a time to celebrate the achievements of women and their contributions towards gender equality. As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it is essential to acknowledge the progress made and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all.