Topic of discussion
Following the instructions of Council
Resolution 1344 (Mod. 2015), the 2017 Session of ITU Council decided on 25 May 2017, upon request of the ITU Council Working Group on International Internet-related Public Policy Issues (CWG-Internet),
to hold an open consultation (online and physical) on the following topic:
Bridging the Digital Gender Divide
CWG-Internet invites all stakeholders to submit contributions on achieving gender equality for Internet users, focusing on the following questions:
1. What approaches and examples of good practices are available to increase Internet access and digital literacy of women and girls, including in decision-making processes on Internet public policy?
2. What approaches and examples of good practices are available to promote the access and use of ICTs by SMEs in developing and least-developed countries, particularly those owned/managed by women, in order to achieve greater participation in the digital economy?
3. Which are the available sources and mechanisms for measuring women's participation in the digital economy with focus on SME's and micro-enterprises?
4. What measures/policies could be envisioned in order to foster the role of women as entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs, specifically in developing and least-developed countries?
5. What are the gaps in addressing these challenges? How can they be addressed and what is the role of governments? |
Useful information and instructions
Information on the Online Open Consultation
Online Open Consultations are launched by the CWG-Internet and are held throughout the period between two successive CWG-Internet meetings. This process gives an opportunity to all stakeholders from all nations to express their views with regard to the topic(s) under discussion.
Responses to the questions of this round of Open Consultations can be submitted through the online form linked below, where you can also find more detailed guidelines on the submission process.
Information on the Physical Open Consultation
This Online Open Consultation will be followed by a Physical Open Consultation meeting, which will take place
on 22 January 2018, at the ITU HQs, in Geneva, Switzerland. [Note: this meeting is conducted in English only]
Discussions during the physical consultation meeting will be based on the responses received during the online consultation process, which will be consolidated in a single document ("compilation document"), to be published ca. 2 weeks prior to the meeting on the ITU Website .
During the physical meeting, respondents to the online consultation will have the opportunity to present their submitted views and to have a fruitful discussion with the other participants, including Members of the CWG-Internet. For those not in the position to participate on site,
remote participation is also available upon request, while completing the online registration form.
Physical Open Consultation Meeting (22 January 2018, 9:30-17:30 CET, ITU HQs, Geneva, Switzerland)
New! If you missed the meeting you can watch the Webcast Archives
Meeting documents
1. Draft Agenda
2. Compilation document
3. Summary New!
Panel Session:
Speakers:
Marianne Bitar Karam, Director of MENA Operations & Lebanon Country Director, DOT
Ann Rosenberg, Purpose Driven SVP & Global Head of SAP Next-Gen, SAP
Annaliese Williams, Acting Director, International Engagement, Department of Communications, Australia
Michael Best, Director, UNU-CS
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Chief of Strategic Planning and Membership Department, ITU
Lia Kiessling, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Internet Society
Anna Mori, Women and Trade Programme Officer, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Moderator:
Santiago Reyes-Borda, Senior Policy Advisor - International Telecommunications Policy, Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Canada
Responses received during the Online Open Consultation:
