18 DE JANEIRO DE 2024

7

class A are connected, only 57 % of the families in classes D and E have access to the Internet. Similarly,

almost 50 % of families in rural areas do not have this access, compared to 25 % in urban areas.

The causes of this digital exclusion can range from the high price of electronic devices with Internet access

to the lack of knowledge about their use or the deficit of infrastructure for their access.

The digital divide has serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole. It affects people's

opportunities for education, employment, health, participation and empowerment. It also hinders social

cohesion, economic development and environmental sustainability.

Therefore, it is essential for us to take action to reduce this gap and ensure inclusive and universal access

for everyone. This will require joint efforts from governments, private sector, civil society and international

organizations.

Concrete actions can and should be taken, such as:

a) Expanding infrastructure to cover all areas and improving connectivity speed to enable new uses of the

Internet.

b) Reducing the cost of connections and devices for vulnerable and geographically distant populations.

c) Promoting digital literacy programs for different groups, especially women, youth, elderly and people with

disabilities.

d) Encouraging innovative and inclusive uses for social good, such as e-government, e-learning, e-health

and e-commerce.

e) Strengthening national policies through better coordination between different administrative levels and

adjusting the regulatory framework.

f) Fostering international cooperation and solidarity to share best practices and resources.

Dear Colleagues

Reducing the digital divide will allow us to leverage the potential of the digital revolution and strengthen

democracy, human rights and social justice worldwide. It is both our responsibility and our opportunity to make

this happen.

I congratulate the rapporteur for her excellent work.

No final do debate e antecedendo as votações, a Deputada Edite Estrela (PS) proferiu as seguintes

palavras:

Merci, Madame la Présidente.

Tout d'abord, je remercie les intervenants pour ce débat très participé et très

intéressant. Je remercie aussi les collègues qui ont présenté des amendements au

projet de résolution et, bien sûr, je remercie le secrétariat et particulièrement Mme

Sarah BURTON pour son soutien tout au long du processus de préparation de mon

rapport.

Chers collègues,

L'exclusion numérique des inégalités dans l'accès à internet et aux TIC affecte 52 % des femmes et 42 %

des hommes du monde. Cette fracture se creuse encore plus quand nous parlons des régions. Selon des

données extraites du portail internet WorldStat, en décembre 2021, en Afrique, seuls 43 % de ses habitants

vivent connectés contre 88 % des Européens et 93 % des Nord-Américains.

Pour réduire la fracture numérique, il faut mettre en œuvre des politiques publiques qui garantissent un

accès universel et abordable à l'internet et aux TIC, qui favorisent l'éducation et la formation aux compétences