University of Oxford / IICA / IDB / IFAD — 15 October 2020
In 17 of 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries analyzed, women are less likely to report owning a mobile phone compared to men, with women living in rural areas being the least connected group, according to a study overseen by Italian social scientist Valentina Rotondi. In countries where the digital gender gap is lower, gender gaps in vulnerable employment, youth unemployment and labour-force participation are also lower. “This pattern of inequality hinders the full development of rural women, who play a key role in driving agricultural productivity and guaranteeing the stability of their families,” said IICA Director General Manuel Otero. Over 52% of the global female population is still not using the Internet, compared to 42% of all men.