Data Card - Cohesion Policy and Gender Equality in the Digital Transformation

On 17 May, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated worldwide. Established by the United Nations, the day aims to raise awareness of the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in fostering a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable society.
The 2025 edition is dedicated to the theme “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation”, as set out in Resolution 1416 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council.

According to the latest ITU Facts and Figures 2024 report, 70% of men globally use the Internet compared to 65% of women. This 5-percentage-point difference translates into approximately 189 million more male users. Although global trends show a gradual move towards gender parity, the gap remains significant in less developed countries, where it is further exacerbated by geographical and economic factors. Promoting the inclusion of women and girls in the digital ecosystem is essential to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender, age, background or location—can benefit from the opportunities offered by technological transformation.

The year 2025 also marks a symbolic milestone: 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, the most comprehensive global agenda for gender equality. The “Beijing+30” process renews the call for concrete measures to bridge the gender digital divide.

Cohesion policy, through European and national funding, supports initiatives that foster digital inclusion, with a focus on gender dimensions. These include programmes encouraging women’s participation in STEM education, supporting female-led digital entrepreneurship, and strengthening digital public services with attention to gender-responsive approaches.

The OpenCoesione portal provides data and insights on projects funded throughout Italy that contribute, directly or indirectly, to narrowing the gender gap in the digital transformation.
The second part of this Data Card presents selected examples to highlight the role of cohesion policy in building a more digital and inclusive society.