Relevance to Internet Governance: Access to the internet is increasingly seen as a basic human right, however this right remains unavailable for many individuals, especially for women and gender and sexual minorities. Discussions on safe and inclusive internet are part of the larger discourse of internet governance, and digital divide is one of the issues that constantly comes up. With its implications becoming evident during a global pandemic, the relevance of this issue is amplified, and hence the need for policy intervention to ensure safe and inclusive access to women and gender and sexual minorities has also increased.
Relevance to Theme: The proposed session connects directly with the thematic track as it addresses the lack of inclusion of women and gender and sexual minorities on the internet as an issue, more so during a healthcare emergency, indicating the need for swift action to ensure safe, affordable, and accessible internet access.