Digitally empowered generation equality: Women, girls and ICT in the context of COVID-19 in selected Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries

In the wake of COVID-19, digital technology has become a lifeline for millions around the world, and a critical tool to cope with the crisis--and its aftermath. While the pandemic is causing dual health and economic crises, it also represents a historical opportunity to accelerate the digital revolution.

ITU and UN Women joint efforts as per the necessity to conduct a study on the gender digital divide occurring in five Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) and three Eastern Partnership countries (Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova). The main objective of the evaluation trends is participation of girls and women in the ICT sector and its dynamics, while analyzing the women’s participation in the digital world, with a special focus on COVID-19 repercussion. This report focuses on women and girls using, studying, and working in digital technology in eight countries. The analysis concluded into country-specific recommendations to develop a set of national initiatives fostering participation of women and girls in the ICT sector.