Women and Mobile: A Global Opportunity

A ground-breaking report published in 2010, quantifying the gender gap in mobile technology across developing countries.

Women and Mobile: A Global Opportunity

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The Cherie Blair Foundation and GSMA Development Fund published a ground-breaking report in February 2010, quantifying the gender gap in mobile technology across developing countries – Women & Mobile: A Global Opportunity. The report shows that, by extending the benefits of mobile phone ownership to more women, a host of social and economic goals can be advanced, but 300 million women are missing out on the mobile revolution. This translates to a $13bn revenue opportunity for mobile operators.

Key Findings

  • There are 300 million fewer female subscribers than male subscribers worldwide.
  • This translates to a $13bn revenue opportunity for mobile operators.
  • A woman is 21% less likely to own a phone than a man in low and middle-income countries.
  • 93% of women reported feeling safer because of their mobile phone.
  • 85% of women reported feeling more independent because of their mobile phones.

Key Recommendations

Mobile Telecommunications Industry:

  • Specifically address women in segmentation strategies and marketing tactics
  • Position the phone as a life enhancing and income-generating tool
  • Understand and operate within the local culture
  • Leverage alternative financing mechanisms and channels

Development Community:

  • Leverage alternative financing mechanisms and channels
  • Create innovative programmes to increase the uptake of mobile phones amongst women
  • Promote the mobile phone as an effective development tool which creates education, health, employment, banking and business opportunities
  • Help identify culturally relevant and acceptable ways of promoting mobile phone ownership amongst women

Policymakers:

  • Shift the tax burden away from the poorest in society of which women are the majority
  • Create incentives for the development of mobile services that benefit women

All Stakeholders:

  • Collaborate for maximum impact
  • Designate high-profile champions of mobile phones for women
  • Conduct further research to advance understanding of women and mobile phones