Matebelaland digital divide raises alarm

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has expressed concern over the growing digital divide in Matabeleland, warning that limited internet access, poor infrastructure, and low digital literacy levels are entrenching gender inequality across the region.

ZGC chief executive officer Virginia Muwanigwa said while women in urban Bulawayo are relatively better connected, a vast gap remains between them and their rural counterparts. She said this disparity is excluding thousands of women and girls from education, economic opportunities, and public participation.

"Affordability remains a major barrier to digital access," Muwanigwa said. "In urban Bulawayo, many women may own smartphones, but their use is restricted by the high cost of airtime and data, and by reliance on male household members for financial support. In rural areas, the situation is worse - many women prioritise food and basic needs over data or devices."

She noted that limited digital literacy worsens the problem, as many women lack the confidence to use digital tools beyond basic social media engagement. According to a survey by Umthonjeni, only 64.4% of women felt confident using digital devices compared to 77.1% of men. This gap leaves women more vulnerable online and less able to take advantage of digital platforms for education or reporting gender-based violence.

Muwanigwa said rural Matabeleland continues to face infrastructural challenges such as weak network coverage and lack of electricity, preventing women from maintaining consistent access to online learning or e-commerce.

"Even when women manage to acquire devices, poor connectivity and lack of power make them useless. Service delivery gaps also undermine trust in digital platforms - survivors report delays and poor follow-ups on online reports, which discourages digital reporting of gender-based violence," she said.

Beyond connectivity issues, privacy and safety concerns remain a major obstacle. Many women, particularly in rural communities, share phones or rely on others for digital assistance, making it difficult to report abuse confidentially.

"In tight-knit rural communities, survivors fear that neighbours or relatives might access their private information," Muwanigwa said.

She called on government and private sector stakeholders to prioritise investment in digital inclusion programmes targeting women and girls in marginalised regions. Failure to do so, she warned, could widen gender inequality as the nation moves further into the digital era.

"Digital exclusion is not just a technology issue - it is a gender justice issue. Without access and literacy, women and girls will remain sidelined from education, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the digital age," Muwanigwa said.