A new publication on the digital gender divide in Africa warns that while COVID-19 has caused a rapid proliferation of digital tools and services, women in rural communities in Africa are being left behind by systemic and structural barriers to technology access and adoption. Gender-responsive digitalization: A critical component of the COVID-19 response in Africa by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation’s Regional Office for Africa (FAO) presents evidence that shows that despite significant growth in information and communication technologies (ICT) and digitalization for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa over the last ten years, progress has been slow in serving African smallholders, particularly women. The brief highlights ways in which digitalization can be made gender-responsive and contribute to a more effective COVID-19 recovery.
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