Technologies

Gender inequality online is ‘expensive for all of us,’ says web inventor’s foundation

Tim Berners-Lee’s Web Foundation hopes governments will be spurred to act upon seeing the economic cost of the digital gender divide.

This story is part of Crossing the Broadband Divide, CNET’s coverage of how the country is working toward making broadband access universal.

When women and girls don’t have access to the internet, it costs governments a lot of money. How much money, exactly, has only been estimated, until now.

New research released Monday by Tim Berners-Lee‘s Web Foundation and its subsidiary, Alliance for Affordable Internet, has calculated that over the past 10 years, 32 low- and middle-income countries have lost $1 trillion by not helping more women get online. Some of those countries include India, Nigeria and the Philippines.

The digital divide is a global problem, but there are still distinct groups that are less likely to have access to the internet. These groups can be defined by their geography, their gender, their race, or all three. Women in low- and middle-income countries are even less likely to have internet access than their male counterparts.

«This report reveals just how expensive gender inequality is for all of us,» Boutheina Guermazi, director of digital development for the World Bank, said in a statement. «For governments looking to build a resilient economy as part of their COVID-19 recovery plans, closing the digital gender gap should be one of the top priorities.»

In the 32 countries the Web Foundation looked at in its report, just over a third of women had access to the internet, compared with almost half of all men. And this divide doesn’t seem to be closing over time, even as digital connectivity plays an increasingly central role in our lives. The coronavirus pandemic has shown how vital it is to have access to internet at home, for everything from remote school to health care. Over the past decade, the gap between the number of women and men online has dropped by only half a percentage point, the Web Foundation’s research says.

The lack of internet access for women means many are excluded from education and employment opportunities, which often keeps them in poverty or other dangerous situations, without access to health care or other assistance. That alone should be enough for governments to want to try to close that gender divide, but that hasn’t always been the case.

Inclusive broadband policies for economic gains

With its new report, the Web Foundation is laying out the cost of the digital gender divide in stark economic terms, in the hope it’ll be the push that governments need to take the problem seriously. According to the report’s calculations, closing the digital gender gap in the next five years could help generate an enticing $524 billion for the economies of the countries studied.

«It is not just good social policy, but it’s also good economics … to include women and girls in the online world,» Teddy Woodhouse, the Web Foundation’s senior research manager for access and affordability, said in an interview. For him, the big test of the report will be whether the information awakens new allies and helps move the needle in closing the digital gender gap. «It’s really trying to be quite practical and thinking about how can we build a case for change,» he said.

Focusing on the broad financial implications is also a way to ensure that the digital gender divide isn’t dismissed by those in power, as gender equality debates so often are, added Ana María Rodríguez Pulgarín, one of the report’s co-authors.

«Sometimes our gender discussions are with politicians that are already working on gender equality, closing the digital gender divide and all that,» she said. «But I think we want to bring the message that this will affect everyone.»

One of the main problems identified in the research as holding women back from getting on the internet is a lack of gender-responsive broadband policy — explicit targets for ensuring women have internet access.

Governments interested in narrowing the digital gender divide have a number of areas to choose from where they implement policy, including rights, education, access and content. Woodhouse pointed to Costa Rica as an example of a country that has implemented such measures by specifically setting targets for getting more women into STEM.

Every year Costa Rica publishes a report on how it’s meeting the targets. «That’s only possible if you’re setting those indicators in the first place,» said Woodhouse. It’s an example of how creating systems of accountability can be best practice.

Internet access beyond the binary

The Web Foundation’s research on gender has focused on traditional male-female lines and doesn’t incorporate the experiences of trans or nonbinary citizens. The «crucial problem» with expanding the research, Woodhouse said, is data availability. Even getting data that’s been broken down enough to show the discrepancy between the experience of cisgender men and women (people whose personal identity and gender correspond with their birth sex) has been challenging, he added.

«To then get data that is disaggregated even more comprehensively, is essentially nonexistent in most contexts, and particularly in the economic context we’re looking at of low- and middle-income countries,» he said. In some countries, being transgender is illegal and punishable by jail time or other serious measures, making the tracking of different genders impossible.

The lack of data is something Woodhouse hopes will change. But, he added, the overall goal of the research remains the same.

The aim is that we will «see less of the idea that gender should predetermine what rights someone should have, what kind of experiences they should have, what kind of access to the internet,» Woodhouse said. «That’s going to be a net benefit for everyone.»

Technologies

New Year’s Greeting!

Happy New Year, dear friends!

Dear citizens of Israel and kind-hearted people around the world,

From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you a Happy New Year! This holiday symbolizes hope, renewal, and faith in a better future. May the New Year bring peace, stability, and prosperity to Israel and all its residents.

We wish our beautiful country eternal prosperity, its citizens good health, and true, kind allies ready to support one another in any situation. May each of our hearts be filled with kindness and understanding.

We especially hope for the swift resolution of all suffering caused by conflicts and challenges. Let every person held captive return home as soon as possible—alive, healthy, and surrounded by the love of their family.

May this New Year be a year of unity, peace, and new achievements for Israel and the entire world. May each day be filled with light, joy, and success.

Happy New Year, dear friends!

Sincerely,
Verum World

Technologies

Verum Coin Now Available on Uniswap Wallet

The cryptocurrency Verum Coin (VERUM) has reached a new milestone — users can now buy and trade it through the popular decentralized Uniswap Wallet.

This integration brings new opportunities for users:

Ease of use: The Uniswap Wallet interface enables crypto transactions in just a few clicks.
Security: Users retain full control over their assets.
Global liquidity: The platform connects millions of users worldwide.

«We are committed to making Verum Coin as accessible as possible to everyone who values blockchain technology and believes in the future of decentralization. Integration with Uniswap Wallet is a significant step toward achieving this goal,» said representatives of the Verum team.

Uniswap Wallet is one of the leading decentralized wallets on the market, known for its flexibility and ability to trade tokens without intermediaries or hidden fees.

You can try Verum Coin on Uniswap Wallet today. Simply connect your wallet, find the $Verum token, and start trading.

Technologies

Verum Ecosystem: The Future of Digital Communication and Finance

In an era of rapid technological changes, where the world demands new approaches to communication, data security, and financial management, the Verum ecosystem emerges as a pivotal technological breakthrough. It’s not just a collection of standalone applications but a seamlessly integrated platform that unites cutting-edge innovations in one environment. At its core is Verum Messenger, transforming traditional communication and financial operations. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg: behind the messenger lies an entire ecosystem of products, each uniquely designed to redefine the digital landscape.

This article dives deep into what the Verum ecosystem offers and how its products interact to create a unified digital space.

Verum Messenger: A Tool for Communication and Security

Verum Messenger is not just a messaging app. It’s a multifunctional platform prioritizing reliability, security, and user convenience. Unlike most messengers, Verum focuses on integrating various technologies to create the perfect communication environment:

Verum AI: Integrated directly into the messenger, this chatbot is a smart assistant capable of handling tasks like data searches, task planning, message responses, data analysis, and more complex operations.
Built-in VPN: A crucial feature for ensuring privacy. Unlike standard VPN services, users can activate protection with a single click without leaving the messenger. This is especially vital for those who value anonymity online and frequently use public Wi-Fi networks.
E-SIM Integration: Enables users to connect to mobile internet without needing a physical SIM card. This technology eliminates roaming issues and significantly simplifies mobile connectivity management, offering access to networks in over 150 countries worldwide.

Verum Coin: The Cryptocurrency Uniting the Ecosystem

Verum Coin is not just a cryptocurrency but the economic foundation of the entire ecosystem. This digital asset addresses key challenges related to fast and secure financial operations, both within and beyond the Verum ecosystem:

Low Fees and High Speed: Unlike traditional payment systems, Verum Coin facilitates instant transfers and payments with minimal fees, making it an ideal solution for international transactions.
Versatility: It is used not only within the ecosystem for service payments but also on cryptocurrency exchanges, serving as a bridge between various digital assets.

BitCoinPay Trade: A High-Security Cryptocurrency Exchange

BitCoinPay Trade is not just an exchange but a high-tech platform for cryptocurrency trading:

Secure Transactions: All transfers are protected by advanced encryption methods, eliminating the risk of asset loss or theft.
Accessibility: The platform offers access to a variety of cryptocurrencies and trading options, while also supporting integration with other Verum ecosystem products.

Crypto Bank: A Reliable Wallet for Cryptocurrencies

Crypto Bank offers users a secure storage solution for digital assets. It’s designed for those actively working with cryptocurrencies and valuing financial security.

Easy Buying and Selling: Purchase and sell various cryptocurrencies with just a few taps.
Cryptocurrency Wallets: Support for major cryptocurrencies allows users to choose the most convenient and secure storage options.
Verum Coin and Other Assets: The service fully supports Verum Coin and other major cryptocurrencies, ensuring reliability and simplicity when working within the ecosystem.

Verum Pay: Integrating Cryptocurrency into Business and the Ecosystem

Verum Pay is an innovative solution bridging cryptocurrency capabilities for businesses and Verum ecosystem applications.

Integration with Payment Systems: Its user-friendly interface allows businesses to quickly adopt cryptocurrency for sales and payment processes, offering a modern approach to financial operations.
Usage within Ecosystem Applications: Verum Pay is actively used within the Verum ecosystem, enabling users to pay for services and goods using Verum Coin directly through the messenger, E-SIM platforms, VPNs, and other products.

This makes Verum Pay a universal tool for ecosystem participants and businesses outside the ecosystem, focused on a digital future.

Verum Exchange: Conversion and Mining with High Security

Verum Exchange is a currency and cryptocurrency converter with an integrated Verum Coin mining function. It stands out with:

Simple and Convenient Interface: The platform caters to both beginners and experienced users, offering real-time access to currency and cryptocurrency rates.
Verum Coin Mining: The application includes mining capabilities, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency directly on their phone or tablet.

E-SIM Applications: A Revolution in Mobile Connectivity

Mobile E-SIM applications (Verum E-SIM, World E-SIM, Euro E-SIM, Canada E-SIM, London E-SIM, USA E-SIM, Ukraine E-SIM, Balkan E-SIM, Africa E-SIM) are among the ecosystem’s most ambitious and revolutionary products. This technology provides mobile internet access in over 150 countries without the need for a physical SIM card.

No Roaming or Overcharges: Say goodbye to high international roaming fees. E-SIM allows users to connect to mobile networks with fixed and transparent tariffs, ideal for travelers and business professionals.
Full Integration with Messenger: Mobile connectivity can be managed through a separate app or directly from Verum Messenger, allowing effortless balance control, tariff selection, and service activation.

Verum VPN: Advanced Data Protection

Verum VPN is an integral part of the ecosystem, guaranteeing a high level of security for users.

Complete Encryption: VPN ensures robust data encryption, making it ideal for protecting personal information online, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
Ease of Use: Activating VPN with a single click simplifies its use, requiring no additional user settings.

Verum AI: Artificial Intelligence at Your Fingertips

Verum AI is the heart of the ecosystem, utilizing powerful algorithms for communication, analysis, and creativity while adapting to each user’s needs. Its features include:

Information and Analysis: Quickly find answers to questions, explain complex topics, analyze data, and support informed decision-making.
Creativity and Idea Generation: Generate texts, create scenarios, develop creative concepts, write articles, posts, and assist with design and programming tasks.
Assistance and Learning: Verum AI helps users acquire new skills, solve problems, and enhance their experience.

Verum Runner: A Gaming Ecosystem with Real Earnings

Verum Runner is a crypto-game that allows users to earn Verum Coin in real time. This unique mobile application motivates players to not only have fun but also gain tangible benefits.

Crypto ATMs: Convenience and Accessibility Worldwide

The Verum network of crypto ATMs enables easy exchange of Verum Coin and other popular crypto assets for fiat currency and vice versa, providing users with transaction capabilities anywhere in the world.

Prospects and Development

Verum is not merely addressing current market needs — it is crafting innovative solutions that will shape the future of digital finance and communication. Upcoming plans include launching new services, expanding AI functionality, and integrating with emerging technologies.

Verum is not just creating an ecosystem of digital services; it’s redefining the very approach to communication, finance, and security in the modern world. All ecosystem products work in perfect synergy, delivering unparalleled user experience that ensures privacy, security, and convenience at every step.