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The Digital Divide: Gender, location, access

There is an urgent need for increased female participation in the technology industry. Dedicated programs and resources can certainly help women develop skills and interest in careers in the technology industry. But location and access are also critical factors because without the right infrastructure and support women, no matter how keen, can still find it difficult to enter the technology sector.

In the UAE for example the Dubai Women's College launched in 1989 has furthered its commitment to developing the educational and technology skills of women. Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, associate director of Dubai Women's College says "We have worked with leading technology firms, such as Cisco, to revolutionize the level of IT knowledge amongst our female students. Our main objective was to create insights, opportunities, growth and development for women within the information and communications technology sector." She added: "The introduction of Cisco Networking Academy at Dubai Women's College was highly received by our female students."

Advances in information technology open up boundaries. The role of women in global communication networks needs to be strengthened and barriers to women’s involvement reduced at every level.

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