The Development of Women’s Digital Literacy in the Context of Urban Digitalisation

The article presents a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of women's digital literacy within the context of the European Union and Ukraine, particularly in relation to the digitalisation of urban environments. The authors conceptualise digital literacy as a critical instrument of social integration in the modern city, while simultaneously highlighting its role in either reproducing or overcoming structural gender inequalities. It is revealed that the gender digital divide is most pronounced in the domain of specialised skills and participation in technological professions, both in Ukraine and across EU countries. The data analysis indicates a significant lag in women's participation in STEM education, ICT employment, and technological entrepreneurship, exacerbating the socio-economic stratification of urban spaces. Particular attention is paid to the interrelation between digital literacy and the development of the smart city concept, where the inclusion of women in the digital economy is regarded as a factor of resilience and innovative capacity in urban environments. It is concluded that despite the positive dynamics of digital infrastructure development, the absence of systematic gender monitoring of digital skills hampers efforts to eliminate the digital divide in Ukraine. The article proposes the integration of gender-sensitive approaches into urban digital strategies and the enhancement of educational programmes, including the incorporation of gender analytics and digital technology courses into the curricula of sociologists, public administrators, and management professionals.