World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, celebrated every year on May 17, is a reminder that the Internet and emerging technologies can play a vital role in the growth and development of individuals and communities when leveraged to their full potential.
According to the United Nations (UN), digital technologies can help achieve 70 per cent of the targets under the UN Sustainable Goals, which range from alleviating poverty and hunger to tackling environmental challenges. The UN stresses that in order to build a sustainable future, it is essential that innovative thinking and actions are incorporated in the mainstream discourse around technology and its potential around the world.
The theme for this year’s WTISD is “Digital innovation for sustainable development”, which, according to the UN, gives us all a chance to explore how digital innovation can help connect individuals around the world and facilitate sustainable prosperity. The objective of the theme is to emphasise the importance digital technologies and raise awareness to the economic and societal progress that can be achieved by harnessing the power of digital innovation.
According to the UN, around 2.6 billion people across the globe still remain unconnected digitally and this glaring digital divide impedes innovation in multiple regions of the world. Several countries are struggling to catch up with the digital revolution unfolding with rapid technological advancements, with factors ranging from the lack of adequate policymaking, investments, and digital literacy.
“WTISD 2024 reminds the world of the progress yet to be made to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technologies,” the UN says.
While the power of the Internet and digital technologies cannot be underestimated, it is an unfortunate reality that a large number of people do not have access to digital tools, utilising the potential of which can significantly change their lives for the better. In Pakistan, roughly 111 million people had access to the internet as of January 2024, which made up only 45.7 per cent of the total population of over 240 million.
The connectivity landscape carries a rather concerning picture for women in the country. A research publication, titled “Connecting the Disconnected: Mapping Gaps in Digital Access in Pakistan”, by Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), finds that “women are 38% less likely than men to own a mobile phone and 49% less likely to use mobile internet”.
Let’s look at what our team members at Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) have to say about the importance of access to digital technologies on this WTISD.
Yasal Munim, Senior Manager Programs
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day celebrates the progress we have made in improving global connectivity and digitization but, at the same time, provides an opportunity to become cognizant of the glaring inequalities in access and availability of digital services and technologies in Global South. In Pakistan, almost half the population lacks access to the internet and device ownership among women remains low. The new Government must push for effective policies, investment, and improve the digital skills of the citizens so they can truly benefit from digital innovation. We, as a country, are already struggling to keep up with the transformations in AI and it’s high time we restrategize our approach to move alongside it rather than trailing behind.
Ayesha Khalid, Communications Manager and Lead at Facter
On this World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, I want to draw attention to the consistently dismal situation of internet access that several regions of our country have been facing for a long time. While the world is rapidly moving towards digital innovation to counter modern-day challenges, we, in Pakistan, are still facing internet shutdowns in the name of security concerns. These disruptions lead to a lack of information dissemination, which has been widely documented, especially in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Such disparities affect women disproportionately due to social barriers and safety concerns. As highlighted in PTA’s Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy 2024, increasing digital literacy, enabling access, and changing the negative perception of technology are major challenges policymakers need to address to achieve gender digital inclusion.
Usman Shahid, Manager at Digital Rights Monitor (DRM)
The world is undergoing a digital overhaul. Social media platforms have become an integral component of people’s lives and are empowering them with a range of lucrative and expressive avenues to establish their distinct identities. Recognising the potential of technological advancements and the Internet as a whole as drivers of a positive change is the need of the hour. Hence, it is imperative that the focus be placed on enhancing access to these technologies and improving digital literacy, as that’s the only way forward to achieving tech-driven sustainable targets.
REACT. RESIST. RECLAIM.
