Can Digital Technology Lead to Gender Equality? One Study Says it Can

Closing the gender gap at work might come sooner than we expect. A new study by strategy and consulting firm Accenture (ACN) finds that gender equality in the workplace will be achieved sooner if women become more fluent with digital technologies. For developed countries, ‘the World Economic Forum says that the gender gap will be closed in fifty years. If you double the pace of digital fluency for women, it can be closed in 25 years,’ explained Julie Sweet, CEO of North America for Accenture. In developing countries, it’s estimated the gender gap won’t be closed until 2100, but Accenture’s research found the gap can be closed 40 years sooner with digital fluency. ‘It’s really about basic skills. It’s about how you’re using devices and technology in your everyday life, in your personal life, in education and in work,’ said Sweet.