UN Women and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have joined forces to advocate for a more gender-inclusive world, recognizing the crucial role of standards in shaping a gender-responsive technological transformation. This collaboration comes as part of UN Women’s 2023 Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), focusing on innovation, technological change, and education in the digital age to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.

Experts from diverse geographic regions have gathered annually to share their insights and formulate policy recommendations for the CSW. This year, a key finding emerged from these deliberations, highlighting the significant influence of standards in technology design, development, and implementation. The research emphasized that non-inclusive standards can have adverse effects on individuals’ lives, underscoring the urgent need for better representation and inclusivity in the creation and deployment of new technologies. Closing the digital gender gap is paramount to harnessing the full potential of the digital economy for everyone. Evolving standards that incorporate women’s needs and experiences at every stage of development are essential.

Diverse design teams, inclusive research, and the use of gender-inclusive language in product documentation and marketing materials can contribute to the creation of more suitable and inclusive products and services. The digital era holds immense promise in revolutionizing society and providing opportunities for women to excel in various fields. However, to realize these benefits, technologies must be built with women at their core. Merely making vague promises and theoretical claims will not achieve gender parity; deliberate action guided by inclusive standards and the expertise of organizations like ISO is necessary. UN Women looks forward to continued collaboration with ISO to drive gender inclusion in technology and innovation. By prioritizing gender-inclusive standards and promoting the active participation of all individuals in the standards process, UN Women and ISO aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Reference

1. https://www.iso.org/contents/news/2023/03/gender-responsive-technology.html