IGF 2025 Open Forum #29 Advancing Digital Inclusion through Segmented Monitoring

Advancing Digital Inclusion through Segmented Monitoring and Measurement for More Targeted Policy Interventions. Digital inclusion is not simply about increasing internet penetration rates—it is about ensuring that marginalized individuals and communities have equitable access to meaningful connectivity, digital content, and services in a way that fosters economic opportunity, social empowerment, and the realization of human rights. Yet, one-third of the world remains offline due to barriers like access, affordability, web-accessibility, literacy (traditional and digital), and systemic inequalities such as geography, gender, ability, and income disparities. Existing measurement frameworks rely on broad national data, missing crucial local insights needed for effective interventions. A segmented, demand-driven approach is essential, shifting focus from supply-side metrics to user needs and socio-economic realities. Without detailed data on who is excluded and why, digital inclusion strategies risk being misaligned with the realities of marginalized communities. This Open Forum and report will present actionable recommendations for a global, standardized framework to enable precise, evidence-based policies that truly address digital exclusion.

To ensure an interactive and inclusive session (in-room and online), the moderator will: • Open the session, welcome panelists and participants (in-room and online). • Icebreaker. • Q&A to panelists to ensure an engaging discussion. • Encourage panelists to respond to chat questions in real time. • Prompt audience to directed questions, provide suggestions and observation to online and in-room participants. This will be complimented by the online moderator who will: • Monitoring online chat, summarize key questions and insights from online participants and together with moderator invite panelists to respond. • Encourage reactions by e.g. prompting emojis, hand raises, and comments. This proposal is aligned with IGF 2025 Priorities. Specifically the proposal directly supports the Universal Access and Digital Rights theme by advancing more inclusive measurement methodologies, leading to better-targeted digital policies and interventions. It also aligns with IGF's broader commitment to bridging the digital divide while upholding digital rights and freedoms.