Gender & Digital Inclusion
A digital future cannot be inclusive if women and girls are left behind. WAICTANet works to expand access, build digital skills, strengthen online safety, create economic opportunities and increase women's leadership in the digital ecosystem.
Closing the Digital Gender Gap
Digital transformation cannot be inclusive if half of society is unable to participate fully.
Women and girls across Africa are increasingly using digital technologies, but significant barriers continue to limit access, meaningful use, safety, economic opportunity and leadership.
The challenge is no longer simply getting women online. It is ensuring that women can access, afford, understand, use, create, influence and lead in the digital economy.
WAICTANet works across Liberia, the Mano River Union and West Africa to address the structural, economic, social, policy and technological barriers that prevent women and girls from participating fully in the digital society.
The Digital Gender Gap Is More Than Connectivity
Women may have network coverage and still remain digitally excluded because they cannot afford a device, lack digital skills, face online risks or cannot see how digital services connect to their livelihoods.
Women in low- and middle-income countries remain less likely than men to use mobile internet.
Fewer women are estimated to be using mobile internet than men in those markets.
Women with spreadsheet skills for every 100 men with those skills in sub-Saharan Africa.
Women globally among STEM graduates.
Equal Opportunity in the Digital Economy
A West Africa where women and girls have equal opportunities to access, use, shape and lead the digital economy.
Our Mission
To remove barriers to women's meaningful digital participation through inclusive policy, digital skills, safety, economic empowerment, leadership and multi-stakeholder action.
From Access to Agency
Our gender and digital inclusion model moves beyond connectivity and training toward economic opportunity, leadership and influence.
Access
Skills
Safety
Opportunity
Leadership
Influence
Digital Access & Meaningful Connectivity
Digital inclusion begins with access, but meaningful access requires more than network coverage.
- Affordable Internet access
- Affordable smartphones
- Accessible digital services
- Reliable connectivity
- Digital literacy
- Relevant local content
- Rural connectivity
- Community access points
Digital Skills for Women & Girls
Digital skills are essential for participation in modern economies. WAICTANet creates progression pathways rather than one-off workshops.
- Smartphone literacy
- Internet use
- Email & communication
- Digital productivity
- Digital marketing
- E-commerce
- Data literacy
- Remote work
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence
- Programming
- Technology entrepreneurship
From Learning to Leadership
Women in Cybersecurity & Digital Safety
Women need safe environments in which to participate online. WAICTANet connects gender inclusion with cybersecurity and digital safety.
- Online harassment
- Digital gender-based violence
- Cyberbullying
- Identity protection
- Account security
- Privacy
- Online scams
- Financial fraud
- Image-based abuse
- Digital sextortion
- Safe social media
- AI-enabled impersonation
Women & Digital Financial Inclusion
Digital financial services can expand women's economic independence, but access and use are not automatic.
- Mobile money
- Digital payments
- Fintech
- Digital banking
- Financial literacy
- Digital savings
- Online commerce
- Consumer protection
- Fraud prevention
- Women's entrepreneurship
Women in Technology Entrepreneurship
Women should not only consume technology. They should build businesses and create technology-driven solutions.
Digital Entrepreneurship
Building the skills needed to start and grow technology-enabled businesses.
- Digital business
- E-commerce
- Digital marketing
- Business technology
Innovation & Startups
Supporting women who are building innovative products and technology-driven solutions.
- Startup development
- Innovation challenges
- Mentorship
- Networking
Digital Economic Ownership
Helping women move from digital participation toward ownership, income and economic opportunity.
- Digital businesses
- Online markets
- Digital employment
- Technology careers
Women in AI & Emerging Technologies
AI will increasingly influence employment, public services, finance, education and entrepreneurship. WAICTANet seeks to ensure that women are represented in the emerging AI economy.
- AI literacy
- Responsible AI
- AI governance
- Data literacy
- Emerging technology
- AI entrepreneurship
- Technology policy
Women in Digital Leadership
Digital transformation requires women in decision-making positions. WAICTANet promotes women's participation across technology, policy, research, innovation and public leadership.
- ICT policy
- Internet governance
- Technology regulation
- Cybersecurity
- AI governance
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Research
- Innovation
- Public leadership
Women & Internet Governance
Women should have a voice in determining how the Internet is governed.
- National IGFs
- MRU Internet Governance Forum
- Youth Internet Governance
- Policy consultations
- Digital rights discussions
- AI governance
- Data policy
- Cybersecurity policy
Digital Inclusion for Rural & Underserved Women
Women in rural and underserved communities often experience multiple barriers at the same time.
- Community digital literacy
- Women's digital hubs
- Mobile training units
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Digital financial literacy
- Agricultural technology
- Online market access
- Digital public services
Girls in Technology
Early exposure matters. WAICTANet supports programs that encourage girls to explore technology, innovation and digital careers from an early stage.
Technology Exposure
- Coding
- Robotics
- Science & technology
- Digital creativity
Future Skills
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Entrepreneurship
- Internet governance
The Pipeline
Girl → Learner → Innovator → Professional → Entrepreneur → Leader
Digital Inclusion & Persons With Disabilities
Gender inclusion should intersect with accessibility. Digital inclusion must be designed around people's different needs rather than assuming that one approach works for everyone.
- Accessible websites
- Accessible digital services
- Assistive technologies
- Inclusive training
- Accessible content
- Participation of women with disabilities
Gender-Responsive Digital Policy
Digital policies can unintentionally reproduce inequality. WAICTANet works to strengthen gender considerations across digital policy and governance.
ICT Policy
Integrating gender considerations into national ICT policy.
Digital Economy
Promoting inclusive participation in digital markets.
AI Strategy
Ensuring emerging AI policies consider gender impacts and opportunities.
Cybersecurity
Addressing gender-specific risks in digital safety.
Data Governance
Considering privacy, data rights and women's participation.
Digital Finance
Strengthening women's access to digital financial services.
Our Policy Questions
Who has access?
Who is excluded?
Who benefits?
Who faces risks?
Who makes the decisions?
Building Evidence for Better Digital Inclusion
Strong gender programmes require strong evidence. WAICTANet can develop research that informs policy dialogue and programme design across Liberia and West Africa.
Creating Pathways to Participation & Leadership
Women in Digital Leadership Fellowship
A regional leadership programme developing women who can influence technology policy, cybersecurity, AI governance, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
Girls in Technology Programme
An early-stage pathway introducing girls to technology, innovation, cybersecurity, AI and digital entrepreneurship.
Women & Digital Entrepreneurship
Supporting women to use digital technologies to start, grow and scale businesses.
Women in Cybersecurity Initiative
A specialized pathway preparing women and girls for careers and leadership in cybersecurity and digital safety.
Women in AI & Emerging Technology Fellowship
A proposed programme preparing African women to participate in the emerging AI economy and governance ecosystem.
Liberia → Mano River Union → West Africa
Liberia
A national platform for women's digital inclusion, digital skills, entrepreneurship, cybersecurity and policy participation.
Mano River Union
Liberia | Sierra Leone | Guinea | Côte d'Ivoire
Knowledge sharing and cross-border collaboration around common digital inclusion barriers.
West Africa
Connecting gender inclusion with digital transformation, financial inclusion, digital economy, AI, cybersecurity and Internet governance.
Measuring Progress From Access to Influence
Access
Women reached, devices supported, connectivity access and rural participants.
Skills
Women and girls trained, certifications completed and skills improvement.
Safety
Digital safety training, cybersecurity awareness and safer digital practices.
Economic Opportunity
Women-led businesses supported, digital businesses launched and financial inclusion.
Leadership
Women participating in policy forums, leadership programmes, fellowships and mentorship.
Policy
Gender-responsive recommendations, policy dialogue and policy influence.
Research, Evidence & Knowledge
The programme's knowledge hub will provide resources that help policymakers, practitioners, researchers and communities understand the digital gender gap.
Partner With WAICTANet
WAICTANet welcomes partnerships with organizations committed to closing the digital gender gap and expanding women's participation in the digital economy.
Help Build a More Inclusive Digital Future
Women should not simply have access to the digital future. They should help build it.
Women should not simply have access to the digital future. They should help build it.
WAICTANet is committed to creating digital ecosystems in which women and girls can connect, learn, work, innovate, lead and influence. Closing the digital gender gap is not only about equality. It is about ensuring that West Africa does not leave talent, ideas, businesses and leadership behind.
