Opinion | Digital equity is SA’s new frontier for women’s empowerment

In 1956, thousands of women protested against unjust laws, setting the stage for greater women's participation in South Africa's political and economic spheres. This legacy demands ongoing attention, not just during Women's Month. Empowerment must be a year-round priority. Women are now prominent in various sectors, yet persistent inequalities remain.

Despite more women in leadership roles, structural challenges persist: unemployment rates, poverty, and unpaid care work continue to disadvantage women. However, the digital divide exacerbates these issues, with women being significantly less likely to use mobile internet globally, and this gap widening in sub-Saharan Africa. Economic inclusion must now include digital inclusion, as access to employment, education, financial services, government services, and international markets increasingly depends on digital technologies.

While progress has been made in reducing mobile data costs, affordability remains an issue for many low-income households, particularly women. Women's economic exclusion intersects with other barriers, including gender-based violence, which has expanded into the digital realm. This intersection creates overlapping barriers to development.

Social investors must rethink funding approaches, recognizing that women should be partners in their own development. Contextual understanding is crucial, as women's digital inclusion will vary across South Africa. Effective social investment begins by recognizing local realities and designing interventions that respond to them.