In a major step toward bridging the gender gap in technology, UN Women and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in cybersecurity and the digital economy. The agreement was formalized during the GCF Annual Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone for global gender equality efforts in the digital era.
The partnership builds on UN Women’s commitment to advancing the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, which emphasizes women’s empowerment and equal access to opportunities across all sectors, including science and technology. The MoU reflects a shared vision between UN Women and GCF—to ensure that women and girls benefit equally from the digital revolution shaping economies and societies today.
UN Women and GCF Driving Equal Representation in Cybersecurity
Under the new agreement, both organizations will collaborate to increase women’s representation in cybersecurity through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives. The partnership will promote cross-learning events, joint high-level convenings, and digital advocacy campaigns under GCF’s Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity initiative and UN Women’s global innovation and technology programs.
The collaboration comes at a time when the cybersecurity sector is facing a widening talent gap. According to GCF’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report, women currently represent only 24 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce, despite growing demand for professionals in the field. The report, developed in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), highlights a serious shortfall in cybersecurity talent, with only 72 percent of roles currently filled worldwide.
This shortfall poses a pressing challenge for governments and organizations striving to build a future-ready cybersecurity workforce. The report emphasizes that enhancing gender diversity is not only a matter of equality but also a strategic necessity for strengthening cybersecurity capabilities. Diverse teams bring broader perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving approaches—essential traits for staying ahead of increasingly complex cyber threats.
Addressing the Skills Gap in Cybersecurity Workforce
The GCF–BCG report outlines several strategic recommendations for addressing the skills shortage, including the need to attract new talent and foster an environment that supports women’s career advancement in cybersecurity. Encouraging girls and women to pursue studies in STEM, providing mentorship opportunities, and establishing clear career pathways are seen as key steps toward achieving this goal.
The collaboration between UN Women and GCF aims to translate these recommendations into action by leveraging both organizations’ networks and expertise. Through targeted digital amplification and global partnerships, the initiative will highlight women leaders, promote visibility for women professionals, and support organizations in adopting inclusive hiring and retention practices.
The Broader Economic Impact
Beyond workforce development, the partnership aligns with the findings of UN Women’s recently released “Gender Snapshot 2025” report. The study underscores that closing the gender digital divide could have a transformative impact on global development. According to the report, enabling digital access and opportunities for women could benefit 343.5 million women and girls worldwide, lift 30 million out of poverty by 2050, and generate an estimated USD 1.5 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030.
However, the report also warns that progress remains fragile. If current trends continue, by 2030, 351 million women and girls could still be living in extreme poverty, and the world risks missing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5—achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
UN Women stresses that this outcome is not inevitable. With strong partnerships, sustained investments, and political will, it is possible to reverse current trends and create a more inclusive digital future. The collaboration with GCF represents a decisive step toward that goal, focusing on practical measures that can help bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity.
A Step Toward an Inclusive Digital Future
The partnership between UN Women and the Global Cybersecurity Forum comes at a crucial time when the digital economy is reshaping the global workforce. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, inclusion and diversity are becoming central to resilience and innovation.
By combining UN Women’s leadership in gender equality with GCF’s global reach in cybersecurity advocacy, the partnership aims to empower more women to participate, lead, and innovate in one of the world’s fastest-evolving fields.
This joint effort not only reinforces the global commitment to equality but also highlights the vital link between gender inclusion and digital security—a connection that could define the future of cybersecurity in the coming decade.
