DigitalForAll #WomenInTech #WTISD2025 #CloseTheDigitalDivide
Every year on May 17, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD)
serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role that digital innovation plays in driving
sustainable development. In 2025, the theme “Digital Innovation for Sustainable
Development” aligns closely with an urgent global priority: closing the digital gender
divide. Of the 2.6 billion people still unconnected worldwide, the majority are women
and girls – a gap that hinders not just individual potential, but collective progress too.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Digital Innovation
This year, WTISD also commemorates 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action,
marking a critical moment to accelerate digital inclusion & equality. For women
entrepreneurs, access to technology is more than a matter of connectivity – it’s a lifeline
to opportunity, creativity & economic empowerment.
In developing nations, women are often the backbone of small and medium-sized
enterprises. Yet in the ICT sector, women remain significantly under-represented as
business leaders and innovators. They face uphill challenges – from limited access to
devices and digital training to a lack of role models and mentorship opportunities.
Besides, cultural norms and societal expectations further exacerbate their exclusion
from tech-based entrepreneurship.
But fortunately, the narrative is shifting.
Empowered & Connected: Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Economy
Around the world, more women entrepreneurs are harnessing ICT – to launch startups,
develop mobile solutions, run e-commerce businesses &deliver digital services. These
women are proving that when equipped with the right tools, they don’t just thrive – they
actually transform entire communities. Studies show that women-led startups generate
higher revenue per dollar invested, and their ventures often prioritize social impact and
inclusivity – making them ideal contributors to sustainable development goals.
To bridge the digital gender divide, we must invest in inclusive policies, targeted training
programs & access to digital tools. Initiatives that offer affordable connectivity, gender-
sensitive ICT education, and supportive ecosystems for women tech entrepreneurs are
vital. Equally important is fostering diverse leadership in AI and emerging technologies –
where underrepresentation has already resulted in biased algorithms and skewed
innovations.
Closing the Gender Gap in ICT
A more connected, equitable world is within reach – but only if women are included at
every level of the digital transformation. Closing the gender gap in tech is not just a
women’s issue; it’s a development imperative!!
On this World Telecommunication Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering
women entrepreneurs in ICT. By giving them the tools, training, and voice to innovate,
we unlock not only their potential – but the potential of economies, communities &
generations to come!!
Avtar Madan
Shree Lahiri
Himanshu
