Digital Transformation and Social Development and Gender Equality

Social development stands at a turning point in 2025 with technological change, demographic shifts, and evolving labour markets redefining how the way social policy operates. UN DESA’s “World Economic Situation and Prospects” briefing highlights the relationship between digitalization and women’s work, offering an insight to inclusion, decent work, and gender equality.

Global investment in information and communications technology (ICT) has surged, with the sector exceeding 12% of capital formation in developed economies and valued at US $5.5 trillion in 2024. From a social-development perspective, digitalization offers new opportunities for empowerment and economic inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups. Yet, access to technology, digital skills, and platform-work infrastructure now determine who benefits or is left behind.

Gender remains a central concern. Digitalization can expand women’s participation through remote work, flexible employment, and online entrepreneurship. Closing the gender digital divide could raise global GDP by US $1.5 trillion and lift 30 million women and girls out of poverty by 2030. However, women remain underrepresented in ICT jobs, and in developing regions they are far less likely to own or use mobile internet. Moreover, automation and generative AI threaten jobs disproportionately held by women.

Digital inclusion must therefore go beyond connectivity and ensure meaningful participation, representation, and protection. In least developed countries, over 90% of women work informally, often without social security or stable contracts. While digital tools open new income avenues, they also blur work–life boundaries and risk reinforcing care burdens.

UN DESA calls for action across six fronts:

• Expand affordable internet access and infrastructure.
• Invest in digital literacy and STEM education for women and girls.
• Promote women’s leadership in tech sectors and AI governance.
• Support women entrepreneurs through finance and market access.
• Adapt labour protections and social safety nets to digital and platform work.
• Ensure diverse participation in technology design to prevent algorithmic bias.

For social-development practitioners and Geneva-based organizations such as UNHCR, this agenda links directly to inclusion, resilience, and peace. Digital transformation must now be viewed as integral to social policy, connecting education, employment, gender equality, and protection systems.

Ultimately, the October 2025 briefing underscores that digitalization is a social phenomenon. Harnessing its potential for women and marginalized workers, while addressing new inequalities, will be central to building inclusive, equitable, and sustainable societies.

For more information, read the full World Economic Situation and Prospects: October 2025 Monthly Briefing.