Online Learning: A Key to Gender Equality?

While the memory of the pandemic era may be fading, its impact on education and learning has been long-lasting. As schools, colleges and universities shut down, online learning surged—not only within formal education but also among individuals seeking to upskill independently.

According to a joint report by Coursera and the International Finance Corporation, women’s participation in online learning rose from 39% to 45% globally during the pandemic, with notable increases even in regions where women face the greatest barriers to education.

These statistics aren’t just numbers—they reflect real lives and decisions, including my own. Reading that report while preparing for a workshop on gender and online learning made me realise how much my own journey echoes that broader story.

While the global uptake of online learning by women increased to 45% during the pandemic, the regional figures show more variation with women making up only 32 percent of learners on the platform in Africa, 34 percent in the Middle East, and 39 percent in Asia-Pacific. Of the women who chose to learn online, nearly half—and 60% of women caregivers—said they would have postponed or skipped their studies entirely without the flexibility online learning offered.

Benefits and Barriers for Women

Online learning clearly meets the needs of women workers and caregivers in the Global South, many of whom face significant barriers to accessing further training. While flexible scheduling and access to high-quality providers benefit all learners, women are more likely to face challenges such as limited mobility, family obligations, and safety concerns—making online options especially critical.

The benefits are tangible. Thirty-seven percent of learners reported gaining a new job, starting a business, or improving their job performance as a result of online learning. For many, these skills translated into higher incomes—22 percent of women reported financial gains. Among female entrepreneurs, 47% of those that enrolled in online learning to start or grow a business reported successful outcomes. Women were also more likely to report an increase in confidence due to their online learning, showing a clear link between these opportunities and economic and personal empowerment for women. 

My Experience of Learning Online

My own experience with online learning coincided with many of those themes. Prior to the pandemic I had been a classroom teacher but as schools shut down I resorted to freelance online tutoring, a much more precarious form of work. I turned to online learning to build new skills and pivot into a career in learning design and eLearning development.

By enrolling in as many courses as I could and participating in online communities, webinars and workshops, I was able to build an online portfolio showcasing my new digital skills. I also developed more understanding of theories of learning design such as the psychology of learning and andragogy as well as technical skills in a range of software programs to develop eLearning. Another more intangible aspect was the experience of directing my own learning. The self-reliance that it fostered was one of the main competencies that enabled me to break into a new tech-related career in learning design.

Online Learning and Transformation

I also learned the importance of online learning communities. I found support by asking questions, giving and receiving feedback on portfolio projects and lining up virtual coffee chats. These people became my learning peers although in a much more fluid and piecemeal way than in a regular face-to-face class.

Though our contexts differ, my experience echoed that of many women in the Global South. We all sought flexible, affordable ways to develop our skills while facing barriers including distance, financial limitations and caring responsibilities. As a learning designer, I now help shape the same systems that supported my transition. I do believe that the accessibility and flexibility of online learning and the communities that can spring up as a result, can open up new opportunities for women as well as break down barriers.

I’ll be exploring more about gender, online learning, and access in upcoming posts. Follow along, or reach out if you’d like to discuss ideas or collaborate.