BPF Gender: Bridging the Digital Divide for Women
Exploring how the Best Practice Forum on Gender and Access drives equitable internet participation for women and diverse communities worldwide.
The digital world holds immense promise for economic growth, education, and social connectivity, yet women and gender-diverse individuals often lag behind in accessing these opportunities. The Best Practice Forum on Gender and Access (BPF Gender), operating under the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), has emerged as a pivotal force in dissecting these disparities. Since its inception, this initiative has rallied global stakeholders to uncover root causes of unequal internet participation and propose practical pathways forward.
Understanding the Roots of Gender Disparities Online
Gender gaps in internet usage stem from a complex interplay of socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructural factors. In many regions, women face higher costs for devices and data, limited mobility due to caregiving roles, and societal norms that prioritize male access. Statistics from credible sources reveal that globally, women are 17% less likely to use the internet than men, with the divide widening in low-income countries to nearly 30%.
These inequalities perpetuate cycles of exclusion, denying women tools for entrepreneurship, health information, and civic engagement. BPF Gender’s work highlights how such barriers are not mere accidents but reflections of embedded power structures that digital systems often replicate unchecked.
Evolution of the BPF Gender Initiative
Launched in 2015 as part of IGF’s intersessional activities, BPF Gender functions as a collaborative platform. It convenes civil society, policymakers, tech experts, and academics through virtual calls, workshops, and surveys to gather qualitative insights. Unlike traditional forums, it emphasizes community-driven research, ensuring voices from marginalized regions shape the agenda.
Over the years, thematic focuses have evolved: from foundational access barriers in 2016 to alternative connectivity models in 2018, and later explorations of online violence and consent in 2020. This progression underscores a holistic approach, linking access to safety and empowerment.
Key Milestones and Outputs
- 2015-2016: Identified core obstacles like affordability and literacy, producing reports with actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
- 2018: Examined supplementary connectivity projects, advocating for gender-sensitive designs.
- 2020: Addressed online harms, pushing for inclusive IGF sessions and broader gender mainstreaming.
These outputs have influenced IGF programming, with mandates for gender-balanced panels and thematic integrations across sessions.
Alternative Connectivity: A Game-Changer for Inclusion
Conventional broadband expansion often bypasses women due to its urban bias and high costs. BPF Gender spotlights supplementary models—community networks, TV white space, and mesh systems—as viable alternatives. These grassroots efforts can be tailored to local needs, incorporating gender priorities from the outset.
For instance, projects in rural Honduras and Africa have demonstrated how women-led networks boost not just connectivity but also skills in digital literacy and rights advocacy. By involving women in deployment and governance, these initiatives challenge patriarchal norms and create sustainable ecosystems.
| Model | Gender Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Community Wi-Fi Networks | Local ownership empowers women trainers | Funding and regulatory hurdles |
| TV White Space Tech | Extends reach to remote areas | Spectrum allocation biases |
| Mesh Networks | Decentralized, resilient to censorship | Technical capacity gaps |
BPF Gender urges designers to audit projects for inclusivity, ensuring women hold decision-making roles beyond symbolic participation.
Confronting Violence and Promoting Positive Experiences
Beyond access, safe usage is paramount. BPF Gender’s 2020 focus on violence, harm, pleasure, and consent revealed how online spaces amplify gender-based abuses like harassment and deepfakes. Yet, it also champions affirmative aspects—self-expression, digital intimacy, and joy—that are often sidelined.
Recommendations include IGF-wide gender report cards for sessions and proactive community inclusion. This dual lens—mitigating harms while amplifying positives—fosters resilient digital citizens.
Policy Recommendations for Lasting Change
BPF Gender’s reports distill multistakeholder strategies into clear calls to action:
- Mainstream Gender in IGF: Require gender perspectives in all workshop proposals and analyses.
- Empower in Connectivity Projects: Mandate women’s leadership in alternative access initiatives.
- Combat Online Harms: Develop guidelines for consent-focused platforms and anti-abuse tools.
- Enhance Data Collection: Standardize gender-disaggregated metrics for evidence-based policies.
- Foster Interlinkages: Bridge BPFs with Dynamic Coalitions for interdisciplinary impact.
These steps aim to dismantle systemic biases, transforming the internet into a truly equitable domain.
Global Case Studies: Successes and Lessons
In Latin America, APC-supported networks have trained hundreds of women in tech deployment, yielding economic gains through e-commerce. Africa’s Women in Tech initiatives leverage mesh tech for education, reducing dropout rates. Asia’s rural hotspots integrate rights training, curbing domestic violence via helplines.
Common threads: community buy-in, tailored training, and policy advocacy. Challenges persist, like funding volatility, but successes validate the model.
Future Directions: Sustaining Momentum
As digital public infrastructure expands, BPF Gender advocates embedding gender equality from design phases. Emerging tech like 5G and AI must prioritize diverse inputs to avoid exacerbating divides. Continued IGF integration and global partnerships will amplify reach.
Stakeholders are urged to contribute data, host local forums, and implement recommendations, ensuring women’s voices propel internet evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BPF Gender?
A multistakeholder forum under IGF focused on women’s meaningful internet access since 2015.
How does BPF Gender gather insights?
Through global calls, surveys, and workshops involving diverse experts and communities.
Why focus on alternative connectivity?
These models offer flexible, inclusive paths to bridge gaps ignored by mainstream infrastructure.
What role does IGF play?
Hosts BPF outputs, mandates gender inclusion in sessions, and disseminates findings.
How can I get involved?
Join mailing lists, contribute to calls, or apply recommendations in local projects via intgovforum.org.
In summary, BPF Gender exemplifies collaborative governance, turning analysis into action for digital equity. By prioritizing women and non-binary voices, it paves the way for an internet that serves all.
References
- Helping women and non-binary communities gain access: Reflections from the Best Practice Forum on Gender — Association for Progressive Communications (APC). 2018-approx. https://www.apc.org/en/news/helping-women-and-non-binary-communities-gain-access-reflections-best-practice-forum-gender
- IGF 2020 – Best Practice Forum on gender and access — Digital Watch Observatory. 2020-11-approx. https://dig.watch/event/igf2020/best-practice-forum-gender-and-access
- Best Practice Forum on Gender and Access — Internet Governance Forum (intgovforum.org). 2021-approx. https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/5004/2371
- IGF 2020 Best Practice Forum Gender and access — Internet Governance Forum (intgovforum.org). 2020-approx. https://www.intgovforum.org/filedepot_download/5004/2088
- Measuring digital development: Facts and figures 2023 — International Telecommunication Union (ITU, .intgov). 2023-12-05. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx
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