Take five: “Digitalization is no longer an option; it is a necessity for building an inclusive and sustainable future”

Ms. Ulla Saar is a legal and policy expert with over a decade of experience, currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of Labour at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in Estonia. Backed by an extensive academic background, including master’s degrees in law, gender studies, and theology, Ms. Saar is committed to creating and implementing policies that improve labour conditions and promote social welfare. On 21-22 October 2024, Ms. Ulla Saar was a key speaker at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, where she participated in the panel on closing the gender gap. In this interview, she shares her insights on bridging the gender gap in the digital sphere, designing efficient continuous learning programs to advance women's opportunities, and protecting women and girls as they engage in the digital economy.

What are the three most critical recommendations for policy development and implementation for closing the persistent gender gap in the digital sphere? The three most critical recommendations for closing the gender gap in the digital sphere focus on continuous skill development, addressing biases in emerging technologies, and combating digital violence.

First, we must move beyond one-time digital literacy training and embrace lifelong learning. Universal digital training in kindergartens and schools serves as a foundational pillar for this approach. As technology evolves rapidly, individuals need to continuously upgrade their digital skills to remain competitive in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and ICT capabilities. Achieving this requires strong collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and employers.

Second, it is essential to ensure that emerging technologies, particularly AI, are transparent, accountable, and free from gender bias. Automated decision-making systems are increasingly integrated into everyday life, and if these systems reflect existing biases, they will perpetuate inequality. To prevent this, gender impact assessments must be conducted at every stage of technological development, ensuring fairness and inclusivity.

Finally, addressing technology-facilitated violence is paramount. New forms of digital abuse, such as AI-generated explicit content, disproportionately target women and girls, creating barriers to their full participation in the digital economy and public life. Comprehensive and proactive measures are necessary to prevent and respond to these threats, ensuring that digital spaces are safe and inclusive for everyone.

Workplace transformations are creating new skill requirements across all sectors. How can we design efficient continuous learning programs that advance women's economic opportunities?

It is essential to foster collaboration between educational institutions, employers, and governments under the guiding principle that every profession now requires ICT skills. The demand for digital competencies extends far beyond traditional ICT roles. Today, professionals in all fields – from lawyers and construction specialists to care workers – must possess ICT skills to remain competitive in the evolving workplace.

The key challenge is designing training programs that address the needs of all individuals while ensuring that no one is left behind. This requires not only addressing today’s challenges but also anticipating what the future may bring. Programmes must be designed with flexibility and foresight to tackle both current issues and emerging needs. Monitoring is equally important: it’s crucial to track who participates in training and who adopts new technologies. For example, employers should ensure that workers of all ages and genders engage in training and adopt new tech, recognizing that different target groups may require varying levels of support.

By addressing these factors, we can create a robust system of continuous learning that empowers individuals, advances women's opportunities, and prepares the workforce for the challenges of the digital age.

How can governments better support women's career advancement in emerging sectors while ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transformation?

Early exposure to STEM fields is critical, and the foundation lies in teaching math, technology, and sciences to all pupils. While universal education provides a solid base, additional proactive measures are necessary to counteract the influence of stereotypes. Programs like Estonia’s Unicorn Squad, a tech hobby school for girls, and the science competition show Rakett69 have successfully engaged girls and nurtured their interest in science and technology. Similarly, initiatives like Kood/Jõhvi offer adult learners opportunities to enter the ICT field, ensuring that career transitions are accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background.

However, education alone is not enough. It is equally important to address the deeply rooted gender stereotypes that confine women and men to traditionally gendered roles. Tackling these biases in education and the labor market is essential to achieving true gender equality and ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transformation. Moreover, these stereotypes persist without changes in caregiving dynamics. Encouraging fathers to share parental responsibilities – and joys – is a crucial step toward fostering a more equitable digital and working life.

The rise of artificial intelligence has brought indeed new forms of gender-based violence and discrimination into digital spaces. How can women and girls be protected while engaging in the digital economy?

Protecting women and girls in the digital economy requires a multi-faceted approach. One major area of concern is technology-facilitated violence, such as AI-generated harassment and abuse, which disproportionately affects women. Governments must implement strong and adaptive legal frameworks to address these threats, ensuring the laws remain flexible enough to keep pace with the misuse of rapidly evolving technologies. Alongside legal measures, raising awareness and building resilience are equally important. This can be achieved through education initiatives that empower women and girls to recognize and respond to digital threats and by fostering collaboration with tech companies to develop tools and policies that promote safer digital environments.

Another critical aspect is ensuring transparency and accountability in AI systems. When gender biases are embedded into automated decision-making tools, the consequences can subtly yet significantly reinforce discrimination. To prevent this, rigorous gender impact assessments must be incorporated into the design and deployment of AI systems, ensuring fairness and inclusivity. By proactively addressing these risks, we can create a digital economy where women and girls can participate safely and equitably.

Estonia is paving the way for many countries in the region to follow. What message would you convey to those willing to take the torch and build on the lessons you have learned?

Estonia’s experience shows that bold decisions, collaboration, and a long-term vision are essential for success in digitalization. To those ready to follow our example, my message is simple: start small or big, but start now. Success requires allocating sufficient funding and resources, and it is crucial to secure leadership support – whether in organizations or at the national level. Without the commitment and belief of leaders, progress is unlikely to happen. For women to thrive in the digital age, the approach must evolve from one-time training to continuous skill development – this involves not only learning new skills but also unlearning outdated practices.

For those still hesitant, I would emphasize that the risks of inaction far outweigh the challenges of change. Ignoring digital inequalities means leaving half the population behind, which not only limits individual opportunities but also stifles innovation and economic growth. Digitalization is no longer an option; it is a necessity for building an inclusive and sustainable future.