"This briefing paper argues that promoting girls’ digital literacy and closing the digital gender gap will play an important role in achieving gender equality and promoting the rights of girls and women worldwide. Indeed, bridging the digital gender divide is essential in ensuring girls and women are not left behind in an increasingly digital future. The paper also argues that actions promoting girls’ digital empowerment should be guided by the principle of engaging girls and women as active, capable partners in our work, not merely passive recipients or targets. Rather than making assumptions about what girls want and need from technology, it is important to work together with girls to strengthen and develop their use and creation of digital tools.
The first section of the paper provides key facts and figures on the prevailing gender digital divide, while the second section reviews the relevant international normative framework. The section following considers some past and current projects and initiatives – from Plan International and our peer organisations – that have used technology to promote the rights and unique needs of girls and women. The challenges and barriers to bridging the digital gender divide are considered in the fourth section, before the final section provides recommendations on the way forward." (Introduction, page 2)