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Bridging the digital divide in the G20: skills for the new age

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The digital divide in general, and between women and men in particular, is a manifestation of exclusion, poverty and inequality, and is likely to continue because of the effects of unemployment, poorly functioning digital skilling programmes and socio-cultural norms in some economies, and further depriving women equal access to digital services. Digital skills provide the poor a catalyst to break out of the cycle of poverty and empower themselves. This paper considers a three-pronged digital skills strategy that will be required for developing countries to break out of the digital divide trap: (1) Monitor the evolving set of digital skills required for employment (2) incorporate a holistic digital skills development strategy into national education programmes, and (3) contextualize skilling programs within prevailing socio-cultural norms that will shape the uptake and impact of digital skilling programs.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/32383245

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: ICT in Developing Communities

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth, No poverty, Quality education, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Partnerships for the goals

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7162196295

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