I remember my first mobile phone. It was 1999, and I got it in order to be able to contact people in case of emergency, something which is still important. However, so much has changed since then and I now use it for so much more than making phone calls. In fact, it’s hard to imagine what life would be without it.

Mobile has transformed people’s lives. For millions of people around the world – especially those living in poorer countries – a mobile phone is not a luxury item, but a lifeline. In the developing world, where electricity, infrastructure and computers are far less abundant, a mobile is often the only source of information and help in emergencies, and is the most common way people access the internet.

With all the hype about the spread of mobile across the globe, one might be forgiven for thinking that almost everyone now has one,  but so many people around the world still do not own a mobile phone, the majority of whom are women. In fact, our study published last year found 200 million fewer women than men own a mobile phone across low- and middle-income countries. This gender gap is also more acute in certain locations and with certain segments of the population. For example, in South Asia, women are 38% less likely to own a phone than men and even less likely in rural areas.

However, closing this gender gap in ownership is not enough. To reap the full benefits that mobile devices have to offer, it’s important that they are used for more than just for phone calls. Our research shows that even when women own a mobile phone, they are far less likely than men to use it, especially for the more complicated services like mobile internet and mobile money.

These significant gender gaps in mobile ownership and use mean that women are missing out on all the benefits that mobile can bring. A mobile can help empower women – helping them feel more connected, safer, and with access to information and life-enhancing opportunities, such as health information, financial services and employment opportunities. Empowering women is critically important for creating positive outcomes for their families and communities. When women thrive, societies, businesses and economies thrive.

Increasing women’s ownership and use of mobile technology to match men’s is also a hugely attractive business opportunity. In fact, in low- and middle-income counties this represents a cumulative revenue opportunity of $170 billion from 2015-2020 for mobile operators As customer growth plateaus, mobile operators are increasingly realising this opportunity.

Melinda Gates discusses the power of mobile phones for women

Closing the mobile gender gap

So, what can we do to realise this opportunity, and ensure all women have the opportunity to own a mobile phone and are able to use it?

The gender gap in mobile ownership and use is fuelled by a complex set of socio-economic and cultural barriers disproportionately affecting women. Women face many barriers to owning and using mobile phones including cost, network quality and coverage, security and harassment, technical literacy and confidence. Social norms and disparities between men and women in terms of education and income influence women’s access to and use of mobile technology, and often contribute to women experiencing barriers to mobile phone ownership and use more acutely than men.

To tackle this, mobile operators in these regions are employing innovative approaches.  For example, Telenor India has developed and launched Project Sampark to bridge the gender gap in rural India.  While this is a positive step in the right direction, there needs to be a bigger focus and targeted intervention from the mobile industry, policy-makers, and other stakeholders. Without this, the gender gap is unlikely to close.

Deliberate action is needed to realize this significant socio-economic opportunity. That’s why our GSMA Connected Women programme is encouraging mobile operators in developing countries to make a formal commitment to reduce their gender gap in mobile internet or mobile money. The first of operator commitments will be announced at Mobile World Congress 2016 and we encourage all stakeholders to take concrete actions to reduce the gender gap in mobile.

For more information on the GSMA Connected Living programme, please visit http://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/programmes/connected-women/

For more information on the Ministerial Programme, please visit http://www.ministerialprogramme.com/