In sub-Saharan Africa, 34% of young people aged between 18 and 24 are victims of cyber-harassment, and 20% of dehumanizing content online targets women of African origin. Around 97 million women in the region do not have a mobile phone, and men are 50% more likely to have access to the internet. Digital literacy initiatives are multiplying to include women in Africa’s digital transformation, offering new opportunities in a context where more than 230 million jobs will require digital skills by 2030. The African e-learning market is worth nearly 3 billion dollars a year.
In 2024, bridging the gender digital divide is a question of safety. Official data reveals that in sub-Saharan Africa, 34% of people aged between 18 and 24 are victims of cyber-harassment. Parallel studies indicate that 20% of dehumanizing content posted online targets women of African origin. Faced with the rise of cybercrime in the continent’s digital landscape, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is recommending that women should have access to education in digital technology in order to eliminate the digital divide between the sexes.
« …there is the issue of gender-based violence and online safety and security. If we don’t look at these barriers in their entirety, we will never be able to tackle the digital divide because it’s not just about internet access ».
Nadira Bayat, UNCTAD Economic Affairs Officer – South Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest internet access gap in the world. In the region, 97 million women do not have a mobile phone, and men are around 50% more likely to have access to the internet than women, reveals the United Nations. After the cost and inadequacy of digital infrastructures, the low female literacy rate is the third biggest factor in the gender digital divide in Africa.
« A few statistics and figures which, beyond the stories, will serve as evidence to underline the importance and urgency of investing in girls’ education. The education of girls and women must receive immediate attention. In Africa, 32.6 million girls of primary and lower secondary school age are not in school.
Simone Yankey, Acting AU/CIEFFA Coordinator
Digital literacy programmes for women are proliferating on the African continent. The main aim of these initiatives is to root Africa in the process of its digital transformation. Including women in the digitisation process will also open up new opportunities for this section of the population, as more than 230 million jobs will require digital skills by 2030.
« The Africa Educate Her campaign in particular has been instrumental in engaging Member States, civil society organisations, young people, development partners, gender and education ministry focal points across the continent and the Pan-African Parliament. Thanks to the campaign, progress in favour of girls’ education has been highlighted ».
Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at the African Union
2024 has been designated the Year of Education by the African Union. On the continent, health, security and climate crises have highlighted the need to focus on online academic training and e-learning to reduce the school drop-out rate among young people, particularly girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, where only 6% of young people are enrolled in higher education, the e-learning market is worth nearly USD 3 billion a year, with growth prospects of 7.3% by 2025.
