The importance of education in reducing the digitial divide

Abstract

When reflecting on issues of digital inclusion and female entrepreneurship, I believe it is important to start by considering South Africa’s skills landscape. According to the global gender gap index, South Africa is ranked number 18 out of the 156 countries surveyed. The index measures a number of factors, including economic participation, education, health and mortality rates, as well as political empowerment. In fact, South Africa is ranked highly on political empowerment, but when it comes to economic participation and education, the sectors which have the greatest impact on digital inclusion, the numbers tell a different story.