Technology defines our era. In the past few decades, numerous innovations—including ever-shrinking computers, mobile phones, and alternative energies—have been introduced in homes andworkplaces,changingthewaywelive,howwework,andwhatwe’reabletodo. BridgingtheGenderDivide:HowTechnologyCanAdvanceWomenEconomically examines why technology is essential to women’seconomicadvancementandclarifieshowitputstheprocess inmotionbyshowcasingtechnologiesthathavehelpedwomenindevelopingcountriesto increasetheirproductivity,createnewentrepreneurialventures, or otherwise access new income-generating pursuits.
This paper builds on ICRW’s long-standing research and program work on the realities of what ittakestoenablewomentoincreasetheirresourcesandeconomicopportunities,andstrengthen their ability to compete in market economies. Most important, it speaks to the growing number ofactorsdrivinginnovationfromthepublic,private,andsocialsectorswithpracticalrecommendations on how to improve the way technologies are developed and deployed so they benefit women and enable them to be more successful economic actors, stronger leaders, and greater contributors to their families, communities, and domestic economies