Creating avenues for women to benefit from digitalization : What Is Needed?

Fitong Ketchiwou, Gaelle (2026) Creating avenues for women to benefit from digitalization : What Is Needed? GILE JOURNAL OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, 6 (2). pp. 45-67. ISSN 2732-3781

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Abstract

There is a rapid transformation in digital technologies worldwide, and digitalisation is now part of all major economic sectors, thereby impacting labour markets. However, women still lag behind men and are not fully benefiting from the opportunities that come with digitalisation. This paper aims to unpack what is needed for women to benefit from digitalisation. The PRISMA protocol was used to perform a comprehensive search across EBSCO, ProQuest, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, JSTOR, Emerald, and Google Scholar, from which 60 papers were retained after screening. Articles were analysed in-depth using a thematic approach. Findings reveal the need for governments to design initiatives to raise awareness, increase access, and promote the usage of digital technologies, tools, and devices at affordable prices. Supporting digital infrastructure, partnerships, household conditions and a legal framework are vital. Together with educational institutions, governments should also develop strategies to boost education and digital skills development, mentorship, and networks to empower women to leverage digital opportunities. There is also a need to ensure social and work-life balance support to help women leverage digitalisation. Hence, governments, educational institutions, private entities, civil society groups, and women need to collaborate to implement tangible actions that ensure meaningful access to technology and the benefits of digitalisation. By synthesising dispersed evidence from 60 studies, this study integrates conditions, capabilities, and support systems needed for women to benefit from digitalisation and provides actionable initiatives at multiple levels. This paper highlights the relevance of access to technology, and the need for pathways, capability enhancement, and enabling conditions that make digital skills available for the entry of young women into the labour market and for their career progression in a digital era. These findings can reduce the digital gender divide, improve women’s labour market participation, or inform policy and practice.

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