Access to digital tools and the internet is crucial for women’s empowerment as it offers opportunities in education, financial inclusion, and business growth. However, many women globally and especially in Africa, still face barriers in having digital access, participating in politics and online safety. In a world where technology and governance shape economic and social development, ensuring women’s full inclusion is no longer optional—it is a necessity. To accelerate action, African governments, private sectors, and civil society must work collectively to remove these barriers and create an enabling environment for women to thrive.

A 2023 GSMA report revealed that women in Africa are 19% less likely than men to use mobile internet due to affordability issues, digital literacy gaps, and socio-cultural norms that limit their online engagement. In Nigeria, there have been several initiatives that have trained women and young girls in coding, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, to equip them with essential skills, enabling them to participate actively in the digital economy. To expedite inclusion, governments must invest in digital literacy initiatives, provide subsidized internet access for women, and implement regulations that encourage gender equality in the technology industry. Without these actions, the digital gender divide will continue to impede women’s economic and social development.

While digital spaces provide a platform for advocacy and engagement, African women also still face significant challenges in political representation. Across the continent, women hold less than 25% of parliamentary seats, with many encountering systemic obstacles such as cultural biases, electoral violence, and financial constraints in politics. Despite these challenges, some countries have made remarkable progress. Rwanda leads the way with 61% female parliamentary representation, a result of deliberate constitutional reforms and gender quotas. Namibia also leads as the first country to elect a female President and vice-President, with its cabinet consisting of 9 females and 8 males. Also in Liberia, the 2023 elections saw the country elect its first female Vice President, marking a step forward in gender-inclusive governance. However, in many African countries, women’s political engagement remains low, with deeply embedded societal norms preventing them from running for office. For example, Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female representation in government. In the 2023 general elections, only 4.5% of elected politicians were female, a decrease from the previous election cycle. Despite having a lively democratic system, Nigeria has been unable to establish meaningful gender quotas, resulting in women being severely underrepresented in decision-making. To address the decline in women’s representation, African governments must invest in women, ensure the implementation of gender-sensitive electoral policies, provide campaign funding mechanisms for female political aspirants, and develop leadership training programs that equip women with the skills and confidence required to participate in governance.

Furthermore, while digital platforms offer a space for political engagement, they have also become a tool for malicious actors to target women and girls, with increased attacks against women in politics and activists. Many women and girls face online violence and abuse, such as online harassment, stalking, cyberbullying, among others, discouraging their participation in conversation in the digital space. In response to this growing challenge, Kenya launched the #DigitalRespect4Her campaign, raising awareness about online gender-based violence and advocating for stronger legal frameworks to protect women. Similarly, South Africa has implemented stricter laws against cyber harassment, recognizing its impact on women’s political and social engagement. To accelerate action, social media platforms and governments must work together to create safer digital spaces by enforcing strict anti-harassment policies and ensuring protections for women and everyone in the digital civic space. 

The acceleration of women’s digital and political inclusion in Africa requires abolishing the socio-cultural norms and biases that pose a challenge to women participation, intentional and inclusive policy reforms, investment in education and technology, and a commitment to gender equity and equality at all levels. Empowering women in these arenas is about more than just achieving fairness; it is about harnessing Africa’s full potential for creativity, governance, and economic development. With collaborative action, Africa can create a future in which women have equal opportunities to thrive in both the digital and political spaces.

Obioma Israel Chiagoziem

GoVote Champion, Nigeria