Analysis of The Role of Women in Governing Africa's Digital Infrastructure: A Policy Analysis of Data Protection and Cybersecurity Frameworks in Chad: An African Perspective

This study presents a policy analysis examining the role and representation of women in the governance of digital infrastructure in Chad, with a specific focus on data protection and cybersecurity frameworks. It addresses a critical gap in the literature on gender, digital governance, and African policy studies, where the intersection of these fields remains underexplored, particularly in Francophone Sahelian contexts. The research is guided by the question: to what extent do Chadian digital policy frameworks incorporate gender considerations and enable women’s participation in governance structures? Employing a qualitative documentary analysis, the methodology systematically examines primary sources, including national laws, strategy documents, and institutional policies pertinent to Chad’s digital ecosystem. The analysis reveals a significant marginalisation of gender-specific provisions within existing frameworks, highlighting a disjuncture between broader national gender policies and sector-specific digital governance. The findings indicate that this omission constrains inclusive policy development and impedes the realisation of women’s full potential in shaping a secure and equitable digital transformation. The study concludes by emphasising the necessity of integrating explicit gender perspectives into digital infrastructure governance to strengthen policy coherence and developmental outcomes, offering insights relevant to similar post-colonial African states.