Gender inequality persists in digital age despite tech advances

Digital technologies are reshaping societies worldwide, but their rapid expansion is not gender-neutral. A recent study published in Encyclopedia warns that technology continues to mirror and magnify existing gender inequalities, even as it creates new opportunities for activism and empowerment.

Titled "Gender and Digital Technologies", the research analyzes how gender dynamics play out in digital spaces, focusing on access, labor, representation, online violence, and the potential for transformative activism. Their findings reveal a complex landscape where innovation collides with entrenched social hierarchies.

How does the digital divide impact gender equality?

The research points out that despite the promise of digital inclusion, women still face systemic barriers to accessing and fully benefiting from digital technologies. In many regions, particularly low- and middle-income countries, economic constraints, cultural norms, and infrastructural gaps limit women’s access to the internet and digital devices. Even when devices are available, high data costs, restrictive social environments, and limited digital literacy hinder participation.

The authors stress that this digital divide reinforces existing inequalities. Women and marginalized gender groups are less likely to benefit from online education, digital health services, or opportunities in the tech economy. These barriers also reduce their visibility and influence in digital public spheres, perpetuating cycles of exclusion.

However, the divide is not solely about access. Digital skills gaps play a significant role. Men tend to dominate advanced technical fields, while women are often funneled into lower-paying, less secure roles in the digital economy. Without targeted policies to improve digital literacy and access, the gap is likely to widen, further entrenching socioeconomic disparities.

How do digital spaces reproduce bias and violence?

The study finds that gendered power imbalances extend deeply into the design and functioning of digital technologies. Algorithms trained on biased data frequently reinforce stereotypes, marginalize diverse identities, and fail to represent women accurately. Digital assistants, often programmed with submissive “female” personas, reflect and perpetuate traditional gender norms. These biases are not accidental; they stem from development processes dominated by male perspectives and insufficient ethical oversight.

Online environments also expose women to disproportionate levels of harassment, abuse, and disinformation campaigns. Online gender-based violence, including stalking, doxxing, and coordinated harassment, creates hostile conditions that discourage participation and expression. The research links these abuses to broader patterns of social control, noting that marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and racialized groups, face compounded risks.

Artificial intelligence, while transformative, introduces new threats. Gendered disinformation campaigns, often amplified by AI, target women in politics, journalism, and activism, undermining their credibility and democratic participation. The authors call for stronger regulations and accountability to mitigate these harms.

Can digital technologies also drive social change?

Despite these challenges, the study highlights that digital spaces are powerful tools for feminist and LGBTQ+ activism. Social media and online platforms have amplified grassroots movements, giving marginalized voices unprecedented visibility. Campaigns like #MeToo and #NiUnaMenos demonstrate how digital networks can mobilize support, expose injustices, and challenge systemic gender inequalities.

However, this activism comes at a cost. Feminist and LGBTQ+ activists frequently face online backlash, censorship, and coordinated attacks. The research notes that while digital technologies open spaces for resistance, they also create new battlegrounds where activists must defend their right to speak and organize.

The authors argue that realizing the transformative potential of digital tools requires inclusive governance, ethical technology design, and robust protections against online violence. Without these safeguards, the same technologies that empower can also reinforce oppression.

Towards a gender-just digital future

Technology is not neutral, it reflects the values and biases of the societies that create and deploy it. To prevent digital spaces from becoming engines of inequality, the authors call for an intersectional, justice-oriented approach that prioritizes diversity, fairness, and inclusivity at every stage of technological development.

Their recommendations include:

• Ethical AI development to reduce algorithmic bias and ensure equitable representation.
• Gender-sensitive technology policies to close access and skills gaps.
• Stronger regulations to combat online violence and protect vulnerable users.
• Investment in education and digital literacy to empower marginalized groups.
• Support for digital activism as a force for social transformation.

Achieving gender equality in the digital era requires more than connectivity - it requires systemic change. Only by embedding equity into the design and governance of digital technologies can societies ensure that innovation benefits everyone, not just a privileged few, the research asserts.