CyberHER: Addressing Gender Inequality Through Digital Skills and Cultural Change in Cybersecurity

This paper explores the ongoing issue of gender inequality, particularly in women’s access to education, jobs, and digital skills in fields like cybersecurity. Findings from the CyberHER project, funded by the British Council and led by Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Institute of Management Sciences in Pakistan, highlight challenges such as societal norms, limited digital literacy, and online harassment that affect women’s participation in technology. In many South Asian and Arab regions, policies to improve gender equality often lack strong local support and are mainly driven by outside pressure, making them less effective. Survey data and case studies from these areas show that true progress requires more than just policy changes; it needs a shift in cultural attitudes and local involvement. Projects like CyberHER aim to bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity by offering training, awareness programs, and collaboration opportunities, showing how community-led efforts can empower women in digital spaces. The study emphasizes that sustainable gender equality needs both policy backing and changes in social values to make lasting improvements.