To policymakers, business leaders, and advocates for digital inclusion,
Digital access is no longer optional – it defines opportunity in education, employment, healthcare, and financial independence. Yet, too many women and girls across the UK remain locked out of these opportunities due to persistent digital exclusion.
While technology should be an equaliser, the evidence is clear: digital inequality is deepening gender disparities. Women in the UK are estimated to be 14–22% more likely to experience digital poverty than men, restricting their economic potential, safety, and ability to participate fully in society. Only 29% of the UK’s tech workforce comprises women and non-binary individuals, with just 20% in software engineering roles. Meanwhile, 61% of those lacking basic digital skills are women, limiting their access to critical services and employment opportunities.
These figures translate into millions of women held back by a digital landscape that fails to meet their needs. Addressing this imbalance is not just a matter of fairness – it is an economic and social imperative.
The Gendered Barriers to Digital Inclusion
Women face entrenched barriers that limit their engagement in the digital world:
- Limited access to technology and connectivity – Women from lower-income households are more likely to lack personal devices or internet access, hindering job applications, skills development, and access to essential services.
- Underrepresentation in the digital economy – Women hold just 21% of IT specialist roles in the UK, narrowing career prospects and limiting the sector’s innovation potential, with the potential that services are not built from wider perspectives. This is driven, in part, by a lack of role models, and persistent stereotypes – meaning actively encouraging girls to see tech as a viable career is vital.
- Disproportionate exposure to online harms – Concerns about safety deter many women from fully engaging online, with 87% reporting fears about extremism and 86% about human trafficking.
- Financial exclusion – The rising cost of connectivity and digital devices disproportionately affects women, particularly single mothers and those in precarious employment – whilst financial literacy and access is increasingly tied to the need to access online banking and financial services more widely.
These barriers do not only affect individuals – they undermine economic growth, social mobility, and the UK’s digital future.
A Welcome Step, But More Is Needed
The UK government’s launch of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan marks an important recognition of the urgent need for change. By establishing the first stages of a national framework, it sets the stage for meaningful progress in bridging the digital divide. However, the true measure of success will be in the next steps, the ongoing consultation, and the formulation of a long-term, sustainable plan that we know is due to follow. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Women and girls face distinct challenges that require targeted solutions. To close the gender digital divide, we need policies and initiatives that specifically remove barriers to access, affordability, and skills development. This demands sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring women are not only included but empowered to thrive in the digital economy.
The Digital Poverty Alliance’s Commitment
Closing the gender digital divide requires direct action. The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is leading initiatives that ensure young people can access the technology, connectivity, and skills they need to succeed. Our Tech4Youth, Tech4YoungCarers, and Tech4Families programmes have already made a tangible impact by providing devices, digital skills training, and connectivity support to those most in need.
Take Alexis, for example. From a young age, she dreamed of a career in forensic science. However, as she prepared for her GCSEs, the only device she had was her mobile phone. A laptop was simply not affordable. Studying on her phone left her struggling to keep up with assignments, falling behind while her peers advanced.
In 2022, the DPA, in partnership with Currys, launched Tech4Families, a programme funded through microdonations raised in-store to purchase laptops for those in need. Alexis was among the beneficiaries. Her new laptop had a profound impact – not only on her grades but on her confidence. It reignited her passion for learning and has led her to apply for university this year, determined to pursue her dreams.
A Call to Action
To ensure meaningful progress, we call on:
- Policymakers to embed gender-responsive strategies into digital inclusion efforts, ensuring that technology access, connectivity, and digital skills training are embedded within education, employment, and economic policies.
- Industry leaders to drive change through equitable hiring, targeted upskilling initiatives, and affordable technology solutions for women and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Community organisations to ever strengthen grassroots digital inclusion efforts, ensuring women are active participants in shaping solutions that work for them.
Beyond Awareness – Driving Real Change
This is not simply about closing a gap; it is about removing systemic barriers that have persisted for too long. Digital inclusion is fundamental to economic independence, social mobility, and participation in public life.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, action – not just awareness – must be our priority. A digitally inclusive UK is one where every woman and girl has the skills, tools, and opportunities to thrive.