International Economic Relations Undersecretary’s office and the OECD launch a study into how to bridge the digital gender divide

Today saw the launch of a report into the role of education in bridging the gender divide (“El rol de la Educación en la Reducción de las Brechas de Género”) by the International Economic Relations Undersecretary’s office in conjunction with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  The research, conducted in the framework of APEC Chile 2019, analyzes the digital gender divide in the Asia-Pacific region and identifies possible solutions for bridging it.

The event included presentations by Foreign Affairs Minister Teodoro Ribera, International Economic Relations Undersecretary Rodrigo Yáñez and OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa Gabriela Ramos.

During his remarks, Minister Ribera highlighted the development of this research, which took place within the framework of APEC Chile 2019. “It was in our role as hosts that we proposed ‘Women, SMEs and Inclusive Growth’ as a priority issue on the agenda. In doing so, we were promoting women’s participation in the labor market, but also it meant that we were the first APEC economy to put the women’s agenda at the highest level within the forum,” said the Minister.

The Foreign Affairs Minister added: “We hope that this study will contribute to transforming the current digital divide into an opportunity to fully incorporate women into the current and future labor market. When used properly, digital technology has the potential to reduce gender inequalities. It can grant women new and greater possibilities in terms of economic participation.”

International Economic Relations Undersecretary Rodrigo Yañez said that digital transformation “is imminent and a priority for accelerating economic growth and contributing to reducing inequalities.” He added that Chile has pioneered the incorporation of chapters on gender in Free Trade Agreements, such as the agreements with Canada, Uruguay and Argentina. This inclusion contributes to increasing the visibility and importance of including women in the economy. He added that the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement signed with New Zealand and Singapore, a world first, will make it easier for individuals and MSMEs to take full advantage of the potential offered by digital commerce.

The report provides recommendations in four decisive areas to enable women and girls in the APEC region to benefit from the digital revolution: promoting the use, skills and learning of ICT in the classroom; training educators and converting them into active agents of change; creating programs designed to change the attitudes and expectations of boys and girls; and designing policies that reconcile work and life as well as prevent discrimination and gender violence.

The report suggests that education is one of the areas crucial to bridging the digital gender gap. Educational systems play a fundamental role as they present opportunities for the development of digital skills. Furthermore, the OECD concludes that education is key to combatting stereotypes related to mathematics, the physical sciences and technology, which are perceived as fields where men excel and women lack talent.  This perception influences girls’ confidence in their abilities from an early age.

OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa Gabriela Ramos noted that “the lack of confidence in girls, low expectations from parents and teachers regarding girls’ potential, damaging representation of girls in the media, disproportionate risks on platforms and a lack of female role models have all contributed to the digital gender divide we are facing today.  Our priority has to be dismantling gender-based expectations and ensuring that homes and educational environments empower boys and girls equally to harness the potential of digital transformation. We are proud to have partnered with Chile on this and plan to support the country’s ongoing commitment to inclusive growth.”