Intel seeks to double number of women in workplace in 3 years

Efforts should be made to double the number of women and girls who have Internet access in developing countries from 660 million to 1.2 billion in the next three years.

 

This was the gist of a report by Intel Corp., which noted a huge Internet gender gap in the developing world and cited social and economic benefits of Internet access for women.

 

"This study demonstrates the enormity of the global Internet gender gap and more importantly, identifies specific ways the public, private and civil society sectors can work together to dramatically increase Internet access for women and girls," said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group and president of the Intel Foundation.

 

"If we can empower women and girls with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to succeed, we will transform their lives and the lives of everyone they touch," she added.

 

Also, Intel said having 600 million more women online would mean 40 percent of women and girls in developing countries would have access to the "transformative power of the Internet."

 

Such a goal could potentially contribute an estimated $13 billion to $18 billion to annual GDP across 144 developing countries, it said.

 

Highlights

 

Intel commissioned the study to better understand the Internet gender gap, and consulted with the U.S. State Department's Office of Global Women's Issues, UN Women and World Pulse, a global network for women.

 

Across the developing world, an average of nearly 25 percent fewer women than men have access to the Internet, and the gender gap soars to nearly 45 percent in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa.

 

The study also found one in five women in India and Egypt believes the Internet is not appropriate for them.

 

The study also showed nearly half of the respondents used the Web to search for and apply for a job, and 30 percent had used the Internet to earn additional income.

 

It also said Internet access increases women's sense of empowerment as more than 70 percent of Internet users considered the Internet "liberating" and 85 percent said it "provides more freedom."

 

Also, Internet access promises immediate and immense, benefits.

 

"With the powerful capabilities the Internet enables -- to connect, to learn, to engage, to increase productivity, and to find opportunities -- women's lack of access is giving rise to a second digital divide, one where women and girls risk being left further and further behind." said Melanne Verveer, ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State.

 

"My hope is that this report will catalyze action to close the Internet gender gap. This will require knowledge, leadership, determination and collaboration among governments, public institutions, corporations, and civil society to tackle the wide range of gender-specific barriers to Internet access," she added.

 

Michelle Bachelet, under-secretary-general and executive director for UN Women, added there is a wide acknowledgement worldwide that women's empowerment is a basic issue of social and economic justice.

 

She said it is also essential to wider social progress and sustainable development.

 

"This report demonstrates that expanding access to the Internet and technology for women and girls is critical to their improved education, increased opportunity and ability to foster entrepreneurship in countries around the world," Bachelet added.

 

Focus countries

 

Intel's report was based on interviews and surveys of 2,200 women and girls living in urban and peri-urban areas of Egypt, India, Mexico and Uganda.

 

The findings were unveiled during a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. as part of the two-day international working forum on women, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and development hosted by the State Department and UN Women.

 

"Through access to technology, scholarships and community learning programs, Intel provides girls and women with opportunities for quality education and personal growth. Intel's programs equip women with access to information needed to excel," Intel said. — TJD, GMA News