Session
Organizer 1: Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 5: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 6: Technical Community, Eastern European Group
Organizer 7: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 8: Government, African Group
Organizer 9: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 5: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 6: Technical Community, Eastern European Group
Organizer 7: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 8: Government, African Group
Organizer 9: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 1: June Parris, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Natalie Tercova, Technical Community, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Pari Esfandiari, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Gloria Frimpomaah Amofah-Adjekum , Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Natalie Tercova, Technical Community, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Pari Esfandiari, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Gloria Frimpomaah Amofah-Adjekum , Civil Society, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The session will follow an interactive roundtable format, fostering open dialogue and collaborative discussions among participants. This setup ensures that both experienced and new voices in Internet governance can actively contribute, share insights, and exchange ideas. A 60-minute duration allows for a structured yet dynamic discussion, starting with a brief presentation of key statistics and challenges, followed by an engaging panel discussion, and concluding with an open Q&A and action-planning segment. The roundtable format is ideal for encouraging meaningful participation, as attendees will have the opportunity to voice their perspectives, learn from real-world experiences, and collectively brainstorm solutions. This format also supports networking and relationship-building, which is essential for sustaining engagement beyond the session. The room will be arranged to facilitate eye-level discussions, ensuring inclusivity and active participation, making it the most effective setup for achieving the session’s objectives.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The session will follow an interactive roundtable format, fostering open dialogue and collaborative discussions among participants. This setup ensures that both experienced and new voices in Internet governance can actively contribute, share insights, and exchange ideas. A 60-minute duration allows for a structured yet dynamic discussion, starting with a brief presentation of key statistics and challenges, followed by an engaging panel discussion, and concluding with an open Q&A and action-planning segment. The roundtable format is ideal for encouraging meaningful participation, as attendees will have the opportunity to voice their perspectives, learn from real-world experiences, and collectively brainstorm solutions. This format also supports networking and relationship-building, which is essential for sustaining engagement beyond the session. The room will be arranged to facilitate eye-level discussions, ensuring inclusivity and active participation, making it the most effective setup for achieving the session’s objectives.
Policy Question(s)
1) What are the key barriers preventing women’s full participation in Internet governance, and how can policy interventions address these challenges?
2) How can digital cooperation frameworks encourage the participation of women in Internet governance?
3) How can mentorship and capacity-building programs empower women to take leadership roles in internet governance?
4) What concrete steps can governments, organizations, and communities take to ensure gender-inclusive decision-making in Internet governance?
What will participants gain from attending this session? By attending this session both online and onsite participants will
-Gain a deeper understanding of Internet governance, decision-making processes, and the importance of women’s participation in shaping digital policies.
-Learn from experienced women in IG who will share insights on how to actively engage and navigate challenges.
-Discover strategies to overcome barriers such as limited access, lack of mentorship, and societal constraints.
-Explore real-world initiatives and best practices that have successfully increased women’s representation in IG.
-Acquire actionable steps to take on leadership roles, advocate for gender-inclusive policies, and initiate community-driven projects.
-Connect with a growing network of like-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and mentorship beyond the session.
-Be encouraged to spread awareness in their home countries, inspiring more women to engage in Internet governance.
Description:
Women’s participation in internet governance remains disproportionately low, reflecting broader digital inequalities. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report, 62% of men use the internet globally, compared to only 57% of women, with access dropping to 19% in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The World Bank’s 2023 report further highlights that In low- and middle-income countries, women are 19% less likely to use mobile internet, leaving 310 million women offline. This digital exclusion not only limits their representation in governance and policymaking but also reinforces systemic barriers that hinder progress. Closing this gap is not just a matter of equity, it is an economic imperative. Universal internet access could generate over 140 million jobs, with significant benefits for women in developing nations. Ensuring women's full participation in the digital space will foster inclusive decision-making, drive economic growth, and create opportunities for a more equitable and sustainable digital future. Despite growing digital advancements, decision-making spaces in Internet governance remain predominantly male-dominated, restricting diversity of perspectives needed to shape a more inclusive digital future. Key discussion points will include: -Structural and societal challenges restricting women’s leadership in digital policymaking in developing and least developed countries. -Case studies to identify key factors hindering women’s participation in Internet governance and ways to foster inclusion. -The role of global cooperation and Multi Stakeholder approaches in driving equitable governance frameworks. -How effective mentorship, capacity-building, and policy interventions can help close the gender gap and increase women’s participation. Ultimately, this session will bring together policymakers, industry experts, and grassroots advocates from both developing and developed nations to explore targeted policies fostering a more inclusive Internet governance ecosystem, one where diverse voices shape the policies that define the global Internet’s future.
Women’s participation in internet governance remains disproportionately low, reflecting broader digital inequalities. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report, 62% of men use the internet globally, compared to only 57% of women, with access dropping to 19% in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The World Bank’s 2023 report further highlights that In low- and middle-income countries, women are 19% less likely to use mobile internet, leaving 310 million women offline. This digital exclusion not only limits their representation in governance and policymaking but also reinforces systemic barriers that hinder progress. Closing this gap is not just a matter of equity, it is an economic imperative. Universal internet access could generate over 140 million jobs, with significant benefits for women in developing nations. Ensuring women's full participation in the digital space will foster inclusive decision-making, drive economic growth, and create opportunities for a more equitable and sustainable digital future. Despite growing digital advancements, decision-making spaces in Internet governance remain predominantly male-dominated, restricting diversity of perspectives needed to shape a more inclusive digital future. Key discussion points will include: -Structural and societal challenges restricting women’s leadership in digital policymaking in developing and least developed countries. -Case studies to identify key factors hindering women’s participation in Internet governance and ways to foster inclusion. -The role of global cooperation and Multi Stakeholder approaches in driving equitable governance frameworks. -How effective mentorship, capacity-building, and policy interventions can help close the gender gap and increase women’s participation. Ultimately, this session will bring together policymakers, industry experts, and grassroots advocates from both developing and developed nations to explore targeted policies fostering a more inclusive Internet governance ecosystem, one where diverse voices shape the policies that define the global Internet’s future.
Expected Outcomes
The session will identify key challenges women face in Internet governance from developing, least developed countries and marginalized groups and highlight actionable strategies to bridge this gender gap.
1- It will produce concrete recommendations for increasing women's participation, which will be shared with policymakers, institutions, and advocacy groups so we can all work together in making the Internet remain one world and one Internet!
2- To sustain momentum beyond the session, a social media group will be created for all participants, where they will be encouraged to initiate discussions, mentorship programs, and community-driven projects and share their progress.
3- A detailed and comprehensive report summarizing key insights, discussions, and recommendations will be published on the IGF website.
4- A follow up session will be conducted under Women in Internet Governance Initiative encouraging more women to join, collaborate, and leverage each other’s expertise to build a more inclusive digital governance ecosystem.
Hybrid Format: This workshop fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment for both in-person and remote participants. We'll leverage a user-friendly online platform such as Zoom with real-time Q&A, collaborative activities using tools like Menti-meter or Miro, and polling to gauge prior knowledge and challenges. To ensure seamless participation, in-person attendees will have dedicated microphones and a clear view of remote colleagues. During presentations and discussions, we'll allocate equal time for online and onsite speakers. A dedicated online moderator will manage the online chat. For discussion on regional challenges we’ll utilize breakout rooms. Moderators will ensure alternating pattern of questions from remote and onsite participants.
Following the workshop, recordings and key takeaways will be shared with all participants, ensuring everyone benefits from the full discussion. We'll also leverage our social media accounts with designated hashtags to encourage pre and post-workshop dialogue and extend the workshop's reach beyond the immediate session.