Understanding the excluded
“We cannot close the digital divide if we cannot measure it. And we cannot connect the unconnected if we do not know who they are, where they live, and why they remain offline – nor can we measure the success of our policies to bridge the gap.”
When talking about statistics, it is easy to distance ourselves from the issues behind them; not putting a face or name to a number can make the problem seem far away. Still, it is important to have context and information beyond our community, city, or country to understand a situation better.
ICTs and technology can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal10, Reduced inequality within and among countries, but to do so, it is essential to know how the world is in terms of the digital divide to find better solutions.
It seems that the pandemic pushed the accelerator on technology and digital connectivity in work environments, schools, and many industries where working remotely was not yet on their horizon. In some places where connectivity is not accessible to all, instead of creating progress, it increases the gap.
According to the Measuring digital development Facts and figures 2021 study, 63% of the world’s population use the Internet (4.9 billion people), which means there are still 2.9 billion offline, 96% of which live in developing countries. And even within a country, if you live in rural areas, it is harder to access the Internet; in Africa, almost 30% of the rural population cannot access it.
To bridge the digital divide, it is essential to understand that the place of birth plays a vital role in whether a person is at a disadvantage regarding their opportunities and possibilities for the future, especially in low-income countries. It does not necessarily mean that it’ll remain that way. However, still, it is more likely to have basic needs covered and access to better education, healthcare, and job opportunities if you are born in a developed country.
Having meaningful connectivity not only means steady and high-speed fixed Internet connections; it also requires having the proper skills to use the Internet in a way that can improve lives. This knowledge is crucial to bridge the gap and reduce inequalities.
Imagine an indigenous woman who can no longer sell her craft on the town market because of the pandemic. With Internet access, a computer in the community center, and the proper training, she can create a bank account and sell her craft online, a life-changing opportunity for her.
Join us in creating more of these stories like this one to change the world, bridge the digital divide, and accelerate the SDGs to make a better world for those excluded from better opportunities.
Sources:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/FactsFigures2021.pdf
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/10_Why-It-Matters-2020.pdf