“The education of women is of greater importance than the education of men, for women are the mothers and the first educators of the rising generation.” 

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 

Technology is reshaping our world. It has the power to connect communities, solve problems, and create opportunities. But for many women and girls, technology often excludes, misrepresents, or even harms them. Why? Because many technologies are designed without considering their needs or voices. 

To make technology a tool for empowerment, we must align it with values like fairness, justice, and inclusion. Women’s insights and experiences must play a central role in shaping its future. 

A discussion group focusing on gender equity and collaborative learning initiatives. 

Technology Is Not Neutral 

Technology isn’t just about tools or algorithms—it reflects the goals and priorities of the people who create it. When creators prioritize materialism over higher values and profits over people, the result can perpetuate inequality or harm. 

For instance, social media algorithms designed to maximize screen time often spread harmful stereotypes or addictive behaviors. Platforms may push divisive or sensational content, reinforcing biases that disproportionately affect women. Additionally, many online spaces fail to prioritize women’s safety, resulting in environments where harassment flourishes and silences their voices.  

To serve everyone equally, technology must reflect humanity’s highest values, such as trustworthiness, justice, and inclusivity. This means designing tools that foster empowerment and well-being rather than exploitation. 

"A technology is not merely a system of machines with certain functions; rather it is an expression of a social world."- David E. Nye 

Closing the Digital Divide 

Around the world, women are 190 million less likely than men to have access to the internet, representing a significant digital divide that widens in rural areas. Cultural norms, limited resources, and infrastructure challenges often make it harder for women to go online or use digital tools. But the issue isn’t just about providing access—it’s also about designing technologies that truly serve women’s needs. 

For example, many tools are not designed to address the specific challenges women face, such as managing both work and caregiving roles or navigating unsafe environments. Bridging this divide means providing affordable access, improving digital literacy, and ensuring that technology helps women achieve their goals in education, healthcare, and economic participation. 

Let’s explore how technology can be reimagined to overcome these barriers. 

Women and community members collaboratively learning sustainable practices for ecological preservation and local empowerment. 

Reimagining Technology 

To truly empower women and girls, technology must serve their real-world needs. Here are key strategies:  

1. Include Women in Decision-Making 

Women bring essential perspectives that help create more inclusive and effective technologies. However, many industries and innovation spaces lack meaningful female representation. By including women in leadership, design teams, and policy-making roles, we can ensure that technologies reflect a wider range of experiences and meet diverse needs. 

When women are involved, innovation often shifts toward solutions that prioritize safety, community-building, and access. Their contributions challenge stereotypes and lead to the creation of tools that benefit everyone.

2. Focus on Values-Driven Design 

Innovation should be guided by principles like fairness, sustainability, and justice. Without these values, technology risks becoming exploitative or harmful. Values-driven design ensures that tools not only solve problems but also uplift communities. 

For instance, embedding justice in design can prevent biases in algorithms, while a focus on sustainability ensures that solutions consider long-term impacts on people and the planet. Designing with values also encourages companies to prioritize societal well-being over short-term profits, creating technologies that promote trust and cooperation. 

3. Create Community-Focused Solutions 

Technology must respond to the unique needs of the communities it serves. A one-size-fits-all approach often overlooks cultural, economic, and social differences. By involving local communities—especially women—in the design and implementation of solutions, we can create tools that are more relevant, usable, and impactful. 

Community-focused solutions build trust and empower individuals to take ownership of the tools they use. This leads to more sustainable outcomes, as people feel invested in the success of the technologies designed for them. 

4. Foster Collaboration Over Competition 

The tech industry often prioritizes competition, leading to isolated solutions that benefit only a few. Shifting to a collaborative model can encourage innovation that addresses shared challenges and creates lasting change. 

Collaboration fosters the exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise across sectors, allowing for more comprehensive solutions. Women’s leadership can play a crucial role in driving this shift, as their approaches often emphasize teamwork and collective progress. 

"The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly." -Abdu’l-Bahá 

The Role of Policy and Global Cooperation 

Governments, businesses, and civil society must work together to ensure that technology aligns with values of equality, dignity, and justice. Policies are essential for creating an environment where technology serves humanity’s best interests. 

At the national level, governments can enact policies that encourage women’s participation in tech industries and protect vulnerable populations from harm. Internationally, initiatives like the UN’s proposed Global Digital Compact can align innovation with shared values, ensuring that technology fosters global cooperation and development. 

By working together, we can create a system where technology supports women and strengthens communities worldwide. 

Conclusion: Technology as a Tool for Equality 

This is a unique moment in history. Technology has the potential to uplift humanity, but only if we design it thoughtfully. By including diverse voices and grounding innovation in ethical principles, we can build tools that empower individuals and communities alike. 

Let’s ensure technology serves as a mirror of our shared priorities, fostering equity, dignity, and opportunity for all. Together, we can create a world where innovation uplifts and empowers women and girls everywhere.