KUALA LUMPUR: Former Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago has called for the goverment and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work together to develop gender-inclusive policy initiatives that can foster digital creativity and innovation.
In order to bridget the digital gender divide, he urged the government as well as NGOs to invest in women's digital literacy by supporting their participation in technology to build a more equitable and prosperous society for all.
"This year's International Women's Day theme as DigitALL; Innovation and technology for gender equality, it emphasises technology's potential in empowering women by improving access to healthcare, education, and enabling financial independence," he said in a statement today.
He said Malaysia's technology sector only consists of 35 per cent women in the workforce, which has caused a gender gap.
"Women in Malaysia experience challenges to access digital tools due to low digital literacy and inadequate connectivity.
"These are not just disproportionately felt in rural areas and low-income households.
"Women should also be provided with equal opportunities, including support networks in technology-related fields.
"Thus, this would enable them to contribute to a more inclusive digital economy," he said.
