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INWES-Europe is a network of European women working in STEM is a regional group of the International Women’s Network of Engineers and Scientists.
Good practices in order to reduce the gender divide in internet access include role models, coding classes, equal opportunities for job progression. Learning ICT skills through a variety of ways including gaming needs to be recognised and adapted to ensure girls are included, as cultural and personal preferences may affect the uptake.
International organisations and governments should work together with women networks in order to support women in SMEs, through mentorship schemes, financial support, facilitation, and recognition of individual time management needs and business risk-attitude cultural approaches.
The gender divide should be monitored at local, national, regional and international level and robust mechanisms should be develop to that effect.
The role of government and international organisations is key to the bridging of the gender divide. Through the development of appropriate policies, including regulations to protect women online against harassment and cyber-crime, women in STEM and ICT, entrepreneurs, and in SMEs should be supported.
Women networks are key to achieve this objective, through the development of programmes and projects, connecting women through events, informal meetings, social media, and being a voice for women at all levels will allow to support this key agenda item. And of course, men need to support these networks and gender diversity in order to ensure a sustainable success of these actions.
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