Summary

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 32/13, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on ways to bridge the gender digital divide from a human rights perspective, and submit it to the Council at its thirty-fifth session.

In the report, the gender digital divide is considered as both a consequence and cause of human rights violations. Some of the complex factors acting as barriers to women’s online access and participation are outlined. The importance of overcoming those barriers for women’s human rights is also discussed.

The report also contains a set of proposed recommendations to ensure that information and communications technologies are accessible to women on an equal basis without discrimination. The recommendations include promoting women’s equal, effective and meaningful participation online.

Methodology

To prepare this report, the UN Human Rights office issued a call for submissions to States and to organizations engaged in activities related to the gender digital divide as well as the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet. The responses are available below.