According to the World Bank, the number of Internet users has more than tripled in the years 2005-2015. However, inequality still exists with roughly 4bn people living without any Internet access. The long-term development impact of this disparity is particularly felt in countries such as Afghanistan which has an adult illiteracy rate of 60%.
The Afghan government envisions information and communication technologies (ICT) as crucial to all aspects of social and economic life in the country by 2024. It hopes for “a networked, globalised and democratic nation that optimally uses the potential of ICT in trade, commerce, health, education and public governance”. (http://www.mcit.gov.af/Content/files/Draft-ICT%20Policy%20Document.pdf).
There is a chance that such dreams could be realised, but not without sustained investment in girls’ and women's education and skills development. At the moment, only around 7% (http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users-by-country/) of people in Afghanistan have access to the Internet. While the country is trying to increase this level, it must be careful it does not end up making the mistake of other developing countries, which have a far greater proportion of men to women online.
Tech and women's emancipation
Exposing women to technical skills and opportunities in an increasingly technological world is central to equality, empowerment and the economic stability of any country. The World Bank estimates that every 10% increase in access to broadband results in 1.38% GDP growth for developing countries. Equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical education by 2030 is a key component of the Sustainable Development Goals. Intel (2013) estimates that bringing 600m additional women and girls online could boost global GDP by up to US$13-18 bn. However, there are currently 200m fewer women than men with access to the Internet globally, let alone access to higher technical skills.
Girls Can Code
A number of tech programmes launching for girls in Afghanistan and there is, encouragingly, goodwill in various factions of society. The Ministry of Education is supporting Womanity’s Girls Can Code programme, which started earlier this year for teenagers in public schools. Moreover, there has been substantial support from parents. The programme includes classes in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, MySQL and PHP coding.
Life after Taliban rule, which lasted between 1995 and 2001 throughout most of Afghanistan, means that there is a whole generation of girls who have missed out on childhood education. Indeed, women still hold second-class status in many areas. However, those that go to school and college are beginning to see the potential of the ITC space. Scores of female app developers are emerging in the main cities of Kabul and Herat. In May 2016, for example, 45 young women submitted mobile app ideas at Girls Make Apps Workshops, which is organised by Herat Technovation.
Women, ITC and Afghanistan's Future
With a global shortage of skilled tech workers expected in the coming years, coding is helping women break through into the ITC space. It is also a sector which allows people to work from home and be available to look after their family, which is still necessary for many Afghan women. With a full range of talent to tap into, Afghanistan’s economy can grow and become less reliant on foreign aid and retain ambitious young women and men.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited (EIU) or any other member of The Economist Group. The Economist Group (including the EIU) cannot accept any responsibility or liability for reliance by any person on this article or any of the information, opinions or conclusions set out in the article.
