In Latin America and the Caribbean, 4 out of 10 women lack internet access or cannot afford effective connectivity. More than an access gap, this is an opportunity gap—without connectivity, women’s access to education, healthcare, financial resources, support networks, and economic participation becomes limited or non-existent.
But infrastructure and cost aren’t the only barriers to connectivity. Many women face significant risks in digital spaces, including harassment, extortion, surveillance, and exposure of personal data, which can make online environments unsafe. As Rosana Barroso, President of Fundación LEA, warned: “There is another side to technology, and the main victims…are usually women.”
Usage gaps are also significant. Ledénika Mackensie, a researcher at UNAM, explained: “Many women do not know how to use digital tools, which limits their ability to fully participate in the digital world.”
The digital transformation that is reshaping economies and societies must be inclusive and not exclude half of the population. Digital equity is essential for social justice and sustainable development and requires deliberate actions to ensure everyone has the capacity to benefit from digital technologies. This includes human-rights based policies promoting universal access, affordability, and digital literacy, as well as the development of accessible, safe, and inclusive digital platforms.
Ivonne Plasencia, National Coordinator of the Digital Women program of Junior Achievement Mexico, put it clearly: “Responsible use [of technology], critical thinking, and knowing that when we accept cookies we are delivering our data… all that has to be taught. Education is the key.”
This call to action was repeated frequently during the GLI Forum Latam 2025, where panelists emphasized that simply expanding internet access is insufficient for genuine digital inclusion. Effective initiatives must also address the systemic barriers that women face, from the lack of time due to the burden of unpaid care work, digital safety, or gender-biased algorithms. It is crucial to develop solutions that are grounded in understanding who users are, how they live, and what they need.
As Isabel Berdeja, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at IDB Invest, noted, “When technology isn’t designed with the user in mind, thinking about the differentiated needs of women or some other vulnerable group, we’re not necessarily solving the pain point.”
The challenge is not just to connect more devices, but to build accessible, safe, and usable digital experiences for diverse women. Digital inclusion should empower individuals to take action, make informed decisions, mobilize resources, and ultimately shape their own futures through the use of digital technologies.
Closing this gender gap also represents an economic opportunity
Women are underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers in at least 16 countries in Latin America. Between 2002 and 2017, fewer than 50% of information and communication technology and engineering graduates were women. Gender stereotypes that confine women to roles traditionally associated with caregiving limit the innovation capacity of our countries.
Rafael Garza Medrano, General Manager of inDrive Mexico, put it this way: “At InDrive, we recognize that what many call barriers are actually injustices. […] You’re born a woman, and it’s like, well, immediately, you don’t have access to 97% of venture capital. […] Injustices or barriers are easily eliminated when [women] have access to fair, transparent, and honest technologies. “
The data proves it: work teams with more diverse leadership teams are 39% more likely to financially outperform their counterparts. Closing the gap is not just a matter of fairness but also a driver of economic growth. It is essential to equip women with the skills, training, and tools they need to participate in digital transformation initiatives, including fostering an environment that enables women to thrive in leadership roles, establish innovative businesses, and develop technological solutions tailored to their communities.
Designing technologies for inclusion must acknowledge that women are often impacted by barriers beyond just physical and economic limitations. It is critical to understand women’s unique experiences and needs, as well as the challenges they encounter when interacting with digital platforms, especially those that haven’t been designed with their specific needs in mind.
Adriana Prieto, Sustainability Manager of Mercado Pago, stressed that, “Technology is a catalyst to reduce gender gaps because it provides access to opportunities, resources, education, and the community. But it has to be combined with collaborative approaches and inclusive data analysis.”
Gender-Responsive Digital Transformation
Technology is not neutral. It can reproduce or reduce inequalities. Achieving gender-responsive digital equity requires a comprehensive approach that involves diverse stakeholders, strategic impact investments, and targeted skills development for women and girls in STEM fields.
Carmen Correa, CEO of Pro Mujer, concluded: “We all have a responsibility to be vigilant that technology helps bridge [gender] gaps and doesn’t widen them.”
