GSMA Connected Women Commitment Initiative

Mobile operators are working to reduce the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services

In an increasingly connected world, women are being left behind. Across low- and middle-income countries women are 7% less likely than men to own a mobile phone, 19% less likely to use mobile internet, and 28% less likely to use mobile money. These significant gender gaps are preventing women from reaping the full benefits of mobile technology.

Closing the mobile gender gap is critically important and can deliver significant socio-economic benefits to underserved women, their communities and the economy. We estimate that closing the gender gap in low- and middle-income countries between 2023 and 2030 represents a $230bn revenue opportunity for the mobile industry. When women thrive, societies, businesses and economies thrive.

Mobile operators are driving an effort, with support from the Connected Women team, to reduce the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services by making formal Commitments to increase the proportion of women in their mobile internet and/or mobile money service customer base.

Connected Women Commitment Partners

2020 – 2023

20 organisations have made or extended their Commitment to improve digital and/or financial inclusion for women:

AirtelTigo Ghana

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw9.png" text="AirtelTigo Ghana"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, AirtelTigo Ghana has committed to continue empowering women in Ghana by extending their Commitment to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base. “Since the 2011 launch, our award-winning mobile money wallet, Tigo Cash, has made a significant contribution to Ghanaians, mostly the unbanked and SMEs. We believe in empowering Ghanaian women, and through the Connected Women initiative, we will be supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to achieve gender equality. "We also believe that Tigo Cash will enable women entrepreneurs to experience the benefits of mobile financial services – providing Digital and Financial Inclusion. We need more women to adapt to mobile financial services in the country. Empowering them to grow their businesses will reduce poverty and aid the country’s economic growth.” [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

http://www.airteltigo.com.gh/airteltigoghana

EcoCash Zimbabwe

As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, EcoCash Zimbabwe has committed to increase the proportion of women in its mobile money customer base. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.ecocash.co.zw/

Grameenphone

As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Grameenphone has committed to increase the proportion of women in its mobile internet and mobile money customer base. > Related Blog - Grameenphone’s GPAY app: How small changes can make a big difference for women [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.grameenphone.com/Grameenphone

Indosat Ooredoo

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Indosat-Ooredoo-Indonesia-1080x300-1.png" text="Indosat Ooredoo"] Besides benefiting customers through better products and services, many of Indosat Ooredoo’s social initiatives helped to empower the Indonesian society at large, including women and girls. Since 2012, Indosat Ooredoo’s women’s empowerment programme, INSPERA has benefited thousands of underprivileged women, female students, teachers and programming developers, by providing them with access to education, health service and economic empowerment powered by their leadership in digital technology. With the launch of SheHacks in 2020 as Indosat Ooredoo’s newest women's empowerment programme that focuses on realising technology-based innovation for Indonesian women in women’s economy, education and health, Indosat Ooredoo renewed its commitment to increase the proportion of women connected to mobile internet in Indonesia from 46% to 48% by 2023 through collaboration with GSMA Connected Women.

“Indosat Ooredoo has done many initiatives to empower communities during the pandemic, including delivering a survey on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on women and girls as a manifestation of our concern to the community and Indonesia as a nation. Through the SheHacks program, we also committed to supporting women's empowerment in Indonesia using digital technology as part of our CSR pillars in Community Development. Indosat Ooredoo continues to support GSMA’s Connected Women initiative, by committing to increase women's access to mobile internet from 46% to 48% by 2023. With a strong vision to become the leading digital telco in Indonesia, we believe Indosat Ooredoo can reach this goal.” - Vikram Sinha, Director & Chief Operating Officer of Indosat Ooredoo, Indonesia

Empowering Indonesian women

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX1c7UWm-XM Indosat Ooredoo believes that empowering women through mobile connectivity can improve the welfare of Indonesian society at large. This is one of the bases for launching SheHacks in 2020, an innovation programme for Indonesian women to reduce gender disparities in the economy, education and women's health by empowering their capacities using digital technology. Through this CSR programme, Indosat Ooredoo targets to empower 1000 Indonesian women with buddy and mentoring programmes to turn their problems into viable solutions.

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://indosatooredoo.com/portal/id/corpcsrlanding @IndosatOoredoo

Jazz

[heroimage image="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pakistan-2-women-1080x300-1.png" text="Jazz"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Jazz has committed to increase the proportion of women by 8% in its mobile internet customer base by the end of 2023. Jazz is Pakistan’s leading digital operator with around 75 million subscribers including 38 million 4G users, as of June 2022. It operates the country’s number one fintech app, JazzCash, with over 15.2 million monthly active users, offers the strongest digital services portfolio, and provides ICT-based solutions to over 30,000 enterprises under Jazz Business. With an investment of over USD 10.2 billion to date, Jazz is one of the largest private sector organisations in the country committed to forging a digitally inclusive and progressive Pakistan. “Digital access is an essential need in today’s world. The digital gender gap is wide but there is a consensus that this digital emergency needs to be addressed immediately. Digital inclusion has the potential to bridge many of the inequalities we see today as it provides access to health, financial, and other life-enhancing services which in turn can improve lives and livelihood. For women to lead Pakistan into the future, empowering them digitally is a fundamental requirement and this is exactly what Jazz holds as a core philosophy when designing products, services, employee programs, and sustainability initiatives.” - Aamir Ibrahim, CEO, Jazz [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3xHFAW11s8M"] Pakistan has some of the widest mobile gender gaps; women are 35% less likely than men to own a mobile device and 38% less likely to use mobile internet. Addressing the affordability barrier to mobile phone ownership in Pakistan, especially for women, Jazz was the first local mobile operator to offer 4G smart feature phones at very affordable prices starting from PKR 4,500. Upon its purchase, users are provided free access to social media sites and free Jazz to Jazz calls during the first three months. Being the go-to digital lifestyle partner of Pakistan, Jazz launched a campaign on International Women’s Day 2022 showcasing what women can achieve if they are digitally empowered. Some of the use cases depicted in the campaign included running businesses remotely, safe access to education, access to telehealth etc. The company has received three silver awards in the last year on various campaigns that were based on the core message of awareness around digital inclusivity. Jazz sustainability initiatives have a core focus on digitally enabling the youth, particularly women. It has programmes in place to enhance digital literacy among girls, promote female led enterprises in the startup ecosystem, and upskill women on digital skills. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://jazz.com.pk/jazzpk

JazzCash

[heroimage image="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Jazzcash-1080x300-1.png" text="JazzCash"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, JazzCash has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base by 2023. JazzCash is Pakistan’s No.1 mobile account platform, aiming to provide convenience in financial services for the customers in Pakistan. The platform provides variety of services including a complete mobile bank account for cash deposit, withdrawal, fund transfers and digital payments, as well as GSM services including mobile top-ups, internet bundles, etc. In addition to these, customers can also pay traffic challan, purchase movie/travel tickets, make school fee payments, utility bill payments, QR payments and avail digital loans. These services can be availed by accessing the JazzCash USSD channel, mobile application which is designed on the principle of Human Centricity and the retail agent network spread all over Pakistan. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_k4_qxoA5sY “We are delighted to have this partnership with the GSMA Connected Women Commitment Initiative which has a global impact on the women of partnering countries. As part of this initiative, JazzCash has committed to increase the proportion of women in our mobile money customer base in Pakistan. Women are 50% of the population in Pakistan, if not more. We intend to include them in our JazzCash base which stands at roughly 17% by engaging with them in targeted projects such as Guddi Bajji and offering them tailored propositions through JazzCash mobile account. The intent is to enable them technologically, digitally and financially so they can not only support themselves and their families, but also have an impact on the economic prosperity of the nation.” – Erwan Gelebart, CEO, JazzCash

The Guddi Baji Project

JazzCash aims to work towards the inclusion of women in their journey to increase financial inclusion and provide economic prosperity to the marginalised segment. JazzCash, in partnership with a leading FMCG company, has launched 'The Guddi Baji' project which is a nationwide initiative targeted to the women in rural areas. Under this project, the FMCG has deployed a female base who are selling their products going door to door in their respective communities. Leveraging this female base, JazzCash intends to onboard more than 300 women as part of their retail agent network. "The objective is twofold. Through this initiative, we will overcome a crucial barrier to entry where women are shy in dealing with male agents. A female agent base will facilitate us with better communication about our services among the women population in these areas. Secondly, by equipping these females as our agent network, it will provide them and their families with additional economic benefit." [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.jazzcash.com.pk/JazzCash

Jio

[heroimage image="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cp-jio.png" text="Jio"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Jio has committed to increase the proportion of women in its mobile internet customer base in India. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.jio.com/reliancejio

Mobilink Microfinance Bank

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mobilink-Pakistan-2-1080x300-1.png" text="Mobilink Microfinance Bank"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd. has committed to increase its female customer base by 15% by the end of 2025, which would represent roughly 600,000 additional women customers. Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd. (MMBL) is providing banking services to over 42 million registered users including 16+ million monthly active customers across Pakistan. With a hybrid model that combines traditional microfinance with mobile/digital banking technologies, the bank now operates with over 100 branches and more than 200,000 branchless banking agents. It provides a USSD (GSM) based digital channel offering savings, micro-enterprise (MSME) loans, small housing loans, remittances, collection (utility bills and loan installments), mobile wallets, insurance, G2P, B2B & B2P payments; thus, playing a leading role in the promotion of financial inclusion. Mobilink Microfinance Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services across seven countries. As part of its digital operator strategy, VEON is transforming people’s lives, creating opportunities for greater digital inclusion, and driving economic growth across countries that are home to more than 8% of the world’s population. "2023 will see us expanding our horizons further and being the binding force that strengthens the framework of our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) industry - especially the ones led by women. We assess significant merits in the combination of digital financial solutions and the enterprising spirit of the MSME sector and believe the outcome of the same could do wonders. Our award-winning Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program is effectively paving the way for a fairer, equal and more inclusive economy and has been acknowledged and appreciated by various entities, including the International Labour Organization, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the State Bank of Pakistan. WIN's positive reception in the market is a reminder of the contribution of hundreds of female workers across all tiers of our organization who have taken the lead in inculcating a culture of diversity, inclusion and equality and we are determined to do lots more through the GSMA commitment." - Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO, MMBL Under WIN, exclusive female-oriented product offerings have been curated for the masses, such as Bint-e-Hawwa Current Account and Bint-e-Hawwa Business Loan, witnessing a 23% improved active female borrower ratio by Q4 2022. Moreover, 1000 female entrepreneurs were upskilled in essential digital and financial skills, and their female staff grew by 100% last year. Additionally, through their premium digital financial services platform, DOST, an exclusive Learning Management System is also embedded in the female variant of the application for maximum literacy. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://mobilinkbank.com/MobilinkBank

Mobitel Sri Lanka

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mobitel-Sri-Lanka-1080x300-1.png" text="Mobitel Sri Lanka"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Mobitel has committed to continue empowering and enabling females in Sri Lanka by pledging to increase the proportion of females in its mobile internet and mobile money customer base. This follows its previous Commitment to increase the proportion of women in its mobile internet customer base from 31 % to 45% by 2020, and mobile money customer base from 26% to 40% by 2020 in Sri Lanka.

“Mobitel Sri Lanka is dedicated to ensuring that women are able to access the full advantages of mobile connectivity. Addressing the mobile gender gap will benefit not just women but Sri Lankan society and the wider economy. We are proud to be supporting the GSMA Connected Women Commitment Initiative. We have committed to increase the proportion of women in our mobile internet customer base from 31 % to 45% by the year 2020 and in our mobile money customer base from 26% to 40% by the year 2020. This dual pledge will enable women to have access to finance and information that will have transformational benefits for their lives as well as those of their families and wider communities.“ - Ms. Jean Fernandez, Senior General Manager – Customer Care, Mobitel

Mobitel's tailored services for women

Mobitel has embarked on a number of initiatives to accelerate women’s mobile phone use, specifically in the areas of health, finance, education and entrepreneurship. These include: Liyasara Portal The first ever tariff plan created for women in Sri Lanka, Liyasara is a special package created to empower women. Content rich the Liyasara portal was designed to allow easy access to information on Child Psychology, Cerebral Palsy, Maternal Health, New Born Health and Cancer. The platform provides a complete voice based resource for new expectant mothers with weekly information on foetal development. Kantha Saviya This financial literacy project focused on mobile learning methods, helping women in farming communities improve their quality of life and add value to their daily work. 800 women from two rural farming communities were given access to a new concept which would otherwise have been unavailable. Connect to Learn Initiative Mobitel worked in partnership with Ericsson Sri Lanka, the Open University Sri Lanka (OUSL) and the Commonwealth of Learning to launch this initiative, which aims to enhance the computer literacy of young girls across Sri Lanka, empowering them by providing new learning and employment opportunities. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.mobitel.lk/MobitelSriLanka

MTN Mobile Money Ghana

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw18.png" text="MTN Mobile Money Ghana"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, MTN Mobile Money has committed to increase the proportion of women in their MoMo Pay customer base to 40% by 2023. MTN Mobile Money is currently running several initiatives aimed at stimulating the adoption and usage of Mobile Money to facilitate payments. One of the key initiatives we are focusing on is the use of our payment solution known as MoMo Pay to facilitate everyday payment for goods and services. We are targeting women in female dominated segments including general goods market, petty traders, wholesale and retail corridors, females within the farming value chain and largely any activity which involves buying and selling. The goal is to get them to use MoMo Pay, leverage on our varying products and services to manage their daily interactions and overall improve financial literacy. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LgibkOMUYNc"] “We at MTN Mobile Money are elated to be part of the GSMA Connected Women Initiative. Globally, females make up a little over half of the world’s population, but their contribution to economic activity and well-being is far below its potential, resulting in socio-economic consequences. Women play a pivotal role in contributing to the growth of the economy, and we are therefore committed to ensuring that we bridge the gap in women participation in financial services.” - Eli Hini, General Manager, Mobile Financial Service [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/https://youtu.be/embed/7QNCHFJm454"] [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.mtn.com.gh MTNGhana

Ooredoo Maldives

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Ooredoo-Maldives-Header.png" text="Ooredoo Maldives"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Ooredoo Maldives has committed to increase the proportion of women with access to mobile internet and mobile money by 2023.

“Ooredoo Maldives commits to increasing the number of women who benefit from mobile internet and mobile money services. Ooredoo strongly believes that being connected has a positive socio-economic impact and empowers society as a whole. We aim to extend these opportunities to all women in the Maldives, ensuring that they too have access to the extraordinary benefits of mobile technology. The company continues to encourage women to use mobile technology through initiatives such as the Smart Ideas for Women challenge. This initiative aims to highlight challenges faced by women in local communities and creates awareness on how mobile technology can provide smart solutions to these issues. Modern technologies have had a profound impact in enriching people’s lives and creating new opportunities for growth. However, a large percentage of women across the world are deprived of these possibilities due to challenges in accessing and using mobile phones and mobile internet. We are pleased to support GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment, with the aim of closing this digital gap and extending the opportunities of mobile technologies to all women in the Maldives, ensuring that they too can reap its remarkable benefits for economic and social development.” - Vikram Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Maldives

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

http://www.ooredoo.mv/OoredooMaldives

Orange Finances Mobile Sénégal

As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Orange Finances Mobile Sénégal has committed to increase the proportion of women in its mobile money customer base. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

Robi Axiata

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw3.png" text="Robi Axiata"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Robi Axiata has committed to continue empowering and enabling females in Bangladesh by pledging to increase the proportion of females in its mobile internet customer base. This follows its previous Commitment to increase the proportion of women in its mobile internet customer base from 20% to 30% by 2020 in Bangladesh.

Robi Axiata Limited, a mobile phone operator serving over 32 million people in Bangladesh, has been a key partner of the government as it proceeds towards the vision of a Digital Bangladesh. Following the introduction of 3G service back in 2013, the country has observed rapid growth in internet usage. 38.6% of the population can now access the internet and around 95% of these people use mobile handsets. However, it it is estimated that only 20% of internet users in the country are female. Robi has sought to address this digital divide by becoming the first mobile phone operator in Bangladesh to sign up to GSMA’s Connected Women Initiative. As part of the commitment, Robi is delivering a number of initiatives specifically designed to increase the proportion of female data users across its network. A Digital Bangladesh can only be delivered by ensuring that everyone, male or female, has equal access to the internet. Robi believes that addressing this divide will have a direct impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

Robi will work towards enhancing the digital literacy of women across the country, increase smartphone penetration among its female mobile subscribers and develop more female focussed mobile content. Robi has already delivered a number of community engagement programmes that will encourage women to get connected to the internet. These programmes include; an online safety campaign, Wi-Fi access points in one thousand places and a special bundle offer for working women. Robi strongly believes that this project will enable women across the country to further contribute towards building a better society and a stronger economy.

“As a Group committed to the acceleration of the digital economy, Axiata welcomes the work of the GSMA Connected Women programme to bridge the mobile gender gap. There is much more operators can do to encourage gender diversity and increase women’s ownership and use of mobile phones. Improved access to mobile services opens up possibilities for women and girls in education, healthcare, enterprise and business. As such, Axiata supports initiatives for greater gender inclusion and equal opportunities in all the markets where we operate.” - Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, Managing Director/President & Group Chief Executive Officer, Axiata Group Berhad [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.robi.com.bd TweetRobi

Safaricom PLC

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Safaricom-CP-Web-Banner2.png" text="Safaricom PLC"] As part of the Connected Women Programme’s Commitment Partner initiative, Safaricom has committed to increase the number of women who use their mobile money service from 46% to 50% and their data services from 47% to 50% by 2023.

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V1X7F2LWUoQ"] “At Safaricom, we believe that a more equitable and just society is not possible if all members are not present. In line with SDG 10 of reducing inequalities, we are committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women.

Mobile phone penetration has enabled women to gain access to vital information from the internet and has opened up a world of opportunities that has made a huge impact in their lives. We continue to work towards reducing the mobile gender gap, to allow the benefits of connectivity to be shared equally. This is why we are pleased to be part of the GSMA’s Connected Woman Initiative.” - Fawzia Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/210Zzv-A7nE"]

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo

In line with Safaricom’s purpose of “Transforming Lives” and their goal to achieve 20 million customers with LTE devices by 2023, there was need to spur smartphone acceleration by addressing affordability. In 2020, Safaricom launched Lipa Mdogo Mdogo in partnership with Android, which empowers eligible customers access to the internet and the world of possibilities through a smartphone that they can pay-as-they-use on a daily or weekly basis.

A first in the world, the programme addresses the high initial costs, which has barred many from accessing smartphones. Eligible customers can acquire the “Neon Ray Pro”, a 4G Android (Go edition) smartphone that originally retailed for KES 6,500, by making a down payment of KES 500 and subsequent daily payments of KES 20. To participate, customers dial *544# and accept the terms and conditions to opt into the service, after which they will receive an SMS approval of their eligibility and the value of the device they can purchase under the service. Eligibility of the financing plan will be based on customer credit score. The subscriber will need a history with Safaricom network going back at least one year and be between 18-75 years of age. Since launch the product has reported the following performance:

950,000 customers have picked up the product, 51% of whom were women. More than 50% have completed paying for the device.
94% of Data Active Neon Ray Pro devices are attached to the network.

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.safaricom.co.ke/SafaricomPLC

Telenor Pakistan

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw6.png" text="Telenor Pakistan" ] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Telenor Pakistan has committed to continue empowering and enabling females in the country by pledging to increase the proportion of females in its mobile internet customer base. This follows its previous Commitment to increase the proportion of women in its mobile internet customer base from 40% to 48%, and mobile money customer base from 10% to 15% by 2020 in Pakistan.

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RqNumuyC2k"]

“Telenor Pakistan is proud to continue its partnership with the GSMA in a collective effort to connect women around the world. In Pakistan, around 50% of the population constitutes of females and as one of the largest digital service provider in the country, we deem it our responsibility to act towards creating gender parity in our customer base.

We are committed to bring the benefits of telecom and digital technology to women in Pakistan and empower them to support their families, consequently contributing towards the socio-economic prosperity of the country at large.”

- Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO, Telenor Pakistan

Inclusion initiatives

Telenor Pakistan envisions to empower societies by reducing inequalities and providing opportunities through initiatives aimed at greater inclusion. As a part of its internal immersive learning programme, Telenor Pakistan is in process of training 1000 female entrepreneurs on design thinking skills as a part of its commitment to the World Bank’s Girls Learn Women Earn initiative. This initiative aims to further lift and develop females for the future needs shaping up the job market. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/erw9yeyvAiU"] [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

telenorpakistan

Turkcell

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw14.png" text="Turkcell"] Turkcell has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile internet customer base and Turkcell Women platform by 2023. This will help in closing the notable mobile internet gender gap in the country. Connected Women field research revealed that a larger proportion of female mobile phone owners in Turkey reported never having used mobile internet – 37% vs. 28% of male phone owners. Turkcell Bizce is the women platform that supports equal opportunity, personal development and economic engagement for women. The usage of Turkcell Bizce is data free, enabling a better customer experience with new app design.

“At Turkcell, creating equal opportunities for women is one of our top priorities and we have run a large number of projects around this area. We are dedicated to providing telecommunication and technology services that meet the needs of every segment of our society. We commit to improving mobile data use among women which will contribute significantly to our efforts of facilitating and enriching our customers’ lives. We have long been dedicated to improving female inclusion and have delivered a wide range of projects covering a range of issues from women’s economic inclusion to girls’ education. Our core business is designed to provide communication and technology services in a way that meets the needs of women, and also provides relevant content and benefits through digital media. We are proud to be a part of this initiative which unites companies around a goal which has long been central to our service approach.” - Olcay Cakici, Loyalty Management Manager, Turkcell [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.turkcell.com.tr/Turkcell

Ufone

[heroimage image="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ufone-1080x300-1.png" text="Ufone"] Ufone 4G is at the forefront of supporting women’s empowerment in the country, hence, the Pakistani company is committed to significantly expanding its female customer base. Through its commitment with the GSMA, Ufone 4G aims to bring high-speed connectivity to more Pakistani women to enhance their participation in the mainstream socio-economic system. Furthermore, the company is focused on reducing the gender gap in access to connectivity and helping women leverage the Internet to explore opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Ufone 4G is a Pakistani Cellular Company with its presence in all the major cities of Pakistan, along with a comprehensive coverage across all major towns, villages, and tehsil headquarters of the country. The company employs more than 3,850 people and operates with a network of more than 320 franchises and company-owned customer service centers along with a distribution network of 150,000 outlets nationwide. Moreover, Ufone 4G was declared as Pakistan’s No. 1 Voice and Data network in Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA), ‘Mobile Networks Benchmark Report for 2022’ recently. The company maintains exceptional reputation for successful implementation of innovative telecom technologies catering to all sorts of customer needs. "At Ufone 4G, we believe that everyone is different, and in our view, that’s a good thing. No matter who U are, our shared vision for Ufone’s future will tie us together. We want our people to bring their best qualities into the Ufone 4G Family and by giving them the tools for learning, with freedom and opportunities to make a difference, we are sure to succeed."

“Our aim is to bring women residing in remote and far-flung areas into the digital fold to spur an environment for growth and development in the country.” – Hatem Mohamed Bamatraf, President & Group CEO, Ufone

Initiatives

Ufone 4G introduced an industry-first Smart code *765# so that women customers can receive mobile top-ups without having to share their phone numbers with retailers.
Ufone 4G donated its flagship Wifi internet devices to the participants of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Women Civic Internship Program to support their pursuit of personal and professional growth.
Promotion of Online & Digital Recharge and Product Subscriptions providing convenient access options for females (Website, My Ufone App, UPaisa App, 3rd Party e-commerce apps)
Ufone 4G launched Best Morning special daily data Offer from 9 am to 12 pm so that females can get maximum benefit from this offer

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.ufone.com/Ufone

Vodacom Congo

As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Vodacom Congo has committed to increase the proportion of women in its mobile money customer base. [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.vodacom.cd/Vodacomcongo

Vodacom Tanzania

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw15.png" text="Vodacom Tanzania"] As part of the Connected Women Programme’s Commitment Partner initiative, Vodacom Tanzania has committed to increase the number of women in their mobile money customer base by 2023. In developing countries like Tanzania, women run most small businesses and they often do this long before having basic information, such as bookkeeping and accounting. Vodacom believes that equipping women with mobile financial tools will empower them and help them become more successful as they gain access to business tools and learn new ways of doing business, consequently improving their lives. Research has shown that in many developing nations, women play a key role in contributing to the economic welfare of families. Hence, empowering women through financial literacy by means of tools, skills and knowledge can greatly improve their overall well-being as well as have a significant effect on the greater society, economy and country as a whole.

"Vodacom Tanzania is pleased to be part of the GSMA Connected Women Initiative. We are committed to increase the number of women using Vodacom M-Pesa from 32% to 40% by 2020. This commitment is in line with Vodacom Group’s target to connect 50 million women in emerging markets by 2020." "Vodacom Tanzania has rolled out a number of initiatives to help us deliver on our commitment, including M-Pawa – our micro credit and micro savings product – which has made it possible for over 3 million users to have access to micro loans through our mobile platform; men and women who would have otherwise remained unbanked." - Hisham Hendi, Acting Managing Director

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddtfBtZUxTY"] [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J5qwNvd9BVs"] [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed//-TIxiVMlKTQ"] [button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.vodacom.co.tz/VodacomTanzania

Wave Money

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WaveMoney-CP-Page-Header-1080x300-1.png" text="Wave Money"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Wave Money has committed to continue empowering women in Myanmar by extending their Commitment to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base. Wave Money is the leading mobile financial services provider operating with over 54,000 Wave shops across all 14 states of Myanmar, covering over 89% of the country and a customer base of more than 35 million. They have a footprint in 85% of rural areas including very remote locations of the country. This has allowed customers to move money from and to almost any place in Myanmar. Remittance (cash in – cash out) service remains one of Wave Money's leading products but a key contributor to growth is their mobile wallet, WavePay application, which can be used not only to send and receive money but also to buy airtime, settle utility bills and for merchant payments as well as to donate.

Equity lives in our DNA

Wave Money continues its commitment to bring more equity to the communities enabling them to get connected with financial technology. Acting inclusively and respecting diversity is part of the core value of Wave Money which is deeply rooted in the DNA of every employee in the organisation. In Wave Money, more women participation in the workforce and leadership is the main driver of innovation. It paves the way for women-led and people-centric workplace culture, and advanced financial inclusion especially among the unbanked population. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bFQ9JPCWOkw"]

“One of the really interesting insights of Myanmar as a country is that senior women in a household tend to run the money. We want to introduce more women to our digital product.”

- Brad Jones, CEO of Wave Money

Wave Money in partnership with MYANWEN and the GSMA

An MOU Signing Ceremony of a tri-party agreement took place between Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Network (MYANWEN), the GSMA and Wave Money to further identify scalable approaches to accelerate digital and financial inclusion for female micro-entrepreneurs. With the vision of MYANWEN to support the socio-economic development of Myanmar by providing guidance to women-led businesses and high-achieving Myanmar women entrepreneurs, this partnership will reinforce women’s access to various financial institutions. As a Commitment Partner of the GSMA Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Wave Money will be empowering women micro-entrepreneurs, women agents and driving gender equality in low and middle-income households. These collaborations embody Wave Money's dedication to driving economic empowerment and gender equality, and to ultimately bring positive social impact and enhance capacity among women in terms of entrepreneurship and effective financial management.

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https://wavemoney.com.mm/WaveMoney_MM

2016 – 2020

The following organisations made formal Commitments to increase the number of women in their mobile internet and/or mobile money customer base by 2020:

Airtel India

AirtelTigo Ghana

http://www.airteltigo.com.gh/airteltigoghana

AirtelTigo Rwanda

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw11.png" text="AirtelTigo Rwanda"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Airtel-Tigo Rwanda has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base in Rwanda from 39 per cent to 45 per cent by 2020.

BRIDGING THE MOBILE MONEY GENDER GAP IN RWANDA

“When Tigo Rwanda signed the Connected Women Commitment Initiative early last year it was because we believed that increasing the number of women using Mobile Financial Services would in turn allow them to improve their quality of life, that of their families and that of their communities. As part of our GSMA commitments, on 8, March we launched the $65,000 Tigo Women Entrepreneurship Fund. This Fund, which aims to provide startup capital to more than 300 women from across the country to open mobile money businesses, is linked to two key principles – outreach and sustainability. We see these principles as critical to developing sound financial inclusion capable of serving rural communities and enabling women to improve their economic activities and livelihoods”.

Airtel-Tigo Rwanda is committed to increasing the number of women using mobile financial services from 39 per cent of total users to 45 per cent by 2020. Women take on a significant amount of responsibility for their families’ financial management, including, emergency payments, remittances and daily domestic management; in fact women direct up to 90 per cent of their income to their families and communities. Increasing women access to mobile financial services will in turn allow them to improve their quality of life, that of their families’ and that of their communities. Airtel-Tigo Rwanda's target is to deliver financial inclusion across the country and we cannot achieve this without women. Read our blog post on how Airtel-Tigo Rwanda is empowering women agents.

EMPOWERING WOMEN AGENTS

Research has highlighted that lack of trust in digital financial services was because of the level of customer service the women were getting from male agents. The Tigo Women Entrepreneurship fund was set up to recruit, train and offer initial funding to women so that they could become Tigo Cash agents. To date, Airtel-Tigo Rwanda has empowered over 70 women as Tigo cash agents and the impact on the women’s lives and businesses is beginning to show. Airtel-Tigo Rwanda targets to have more than 1,200 women as agents within 2017. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4mZcqsPVM8s"]

https://www.airtel.co.rw/airtelrw

Dialog Axiata PLC

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw16.png" text="Dialog Axiata PLC"] Dialog Axiata supports the GSMA’s Connected Women initiative by committing to increase the percentage of women using mobile internet and mobile money services within its subscriber base.

“Dialog has always been at the forefront of driving connectivity in the country. We always see connectivity, as a means of bridging the divide, be it the poverty gap or the education gap. In this particular challenge that we are looking at — bridging the digital divide in women — we see that women have access to unlocking larger opportunities for the communities. This challenge and the opportunity have been recognised by governments to drive education. It is very important to have women with us to enable digitisation and to unlock growth in our economies because they are the key enablers of growth and of societies within our ecosystem.” — Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dialog Axiata.

DIALOG’S APPROACH AND INITIATIVES

Since its inception, Dialog Axiata has developed and practiced a Philosophy of Inclusion. This philosophy is firmly ingrained in the company’s core values that ultimately translate into sustainable and responsible business models. The company’s 4As Philosophy of service Availability, Affordability, Applicability and Affinity is an extension of its inclusion strategy, which recognises the importance of supporting traditionally marginalized groups to gain access to digital and mobile money services by minimising entry barriers. As the number one mobile service provider in the country, Dialog Axiata acknowledges the numerous significant roles women play in society. However, society tends to overlook their immense and valuable contribution, and they are often marginalised due to lack of self-advocacy and their selfless nature; always putting others’ needs before their own. The company firmly believes that it is of utmost importance to help women improve their lives by increasing their access to digital and financial services because when women are educated and empowered, the social and economic benefits are felt throughout the community. Dialog Axiata’s sustainability initiatives are backed by continuous research that helps to develop well-informed strategies. This research highlighted the marked differences in the ways that men and women consume services, confirming that a generic strategy doesn’t always produce the best results. This has resulted in the company striving to break any entry barriers faced by women by taking an inclusive approach to relevant products and services. One example is the 5-Star Partner Programme designed to extend the company’s reach in rural areas. A community study revealed that women in Sri Lanka — particularly those in the more rural, conservative areas — feel more comfortable approaching and interacting with female rather than male retailers with regards to mobile-related queries and activities. To break this barrier, the programme integrates women into the rural retail chain by providing them with the necessary knowledge and training and thereby increasing women’s accessibility to mobile services. ‘Secret Code’ is yet another service designed to break barriers for women. It was developed to provide customers — especially females — the much needed confidentiality when using their personal mobile number during reloads or third party Star Points transactions. Another example is the launch of an island-wide ICT awareness programme targeting rural women. This is directly linked to the GSMA Connected Women initiative and aims to reduce the gender gap in mobile and internet usage in the country. The programme, conducted via a series of workshops, intends to educate women on the benefits of using the internet for personal development and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as cyber safety. This is directly linked to the GSMA Connected Women initiative and aims to reduce the gender gap in mobile and internet usage in the country. The programme, conducted via a series of workshops, intends to educate women on the benefits of using the internet for personal development and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as cyber safety. In an effort to minimise the digital divide faced by women, and make products and services more relevant to them, Dialog Axiata launched the first ever portal dedicated to women. The portal offers access to a myriad of services relevant to women such as health tips, diet & lifestyle tips and emergency alerts —an innovative service which allows one to alert a group of trusted loved ones during an emergency. Agriculture is an important sector in the Sri Lankan economy making it a significant source of employment. Dialog Axiata recognized the need to support the local farming community and launched the ‘Govi Mithuru’ service in 2015, to share information via mobiles regarding land preparation, cultivation, crop protection and harvesting. The service was made relevant to women too by including customised and timely advice regarding home gardening, improved family nutrition and other related topics. [video youtube ="<iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/AiseeAHm1qE"]

https://www.dialog.lk/dialoglk

Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Digi)

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Digi-banner-resized1.jpg" text="Digi Telecommunications
Sdn Bhd (Digi)"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Digi has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile internet customer base in Malaysia from 42 per cent to 47 per cent by 2020. Bridging the digital gender gap will help ensure these women can be active participants and contributors in the digital economy.

“Digi is happy to partner with the GSMA in a collective effort to bring mobile connectivity to more women globally. In Malaysia, 6 million women have yet to access the internet, and bridging the digital gender gap will help ensure these women can be active participants and contributors in the digital economy. We hope to see every Malaysian woman connected and empowered because we believe these efforts will cause a socio-economic ripple effect for the betterment of families, communities and society at large. In support of the GSMA’s Connected Women initiative, we commit to increasing the proportion of women in our mobile internet customer base in Malaysia from 42 per cent to 47 per cent by 2020.” Albern Murty, Chief Executive Officer of Digi Telecommunications in Malaysia

DIGI'S WANITA ERA DIGITAL INITIATIVE

The Digi Wanita Era Digital initiative helps address the common barriers of women going digital by introducing them to basic, safe usage of smart devices and the internet, along with good reasons to use them. Digi’s ambition is to see every Malaysian woman connected and empowered.

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Ir_otgB8-Y"] Watch the video to discover how the Digi Wanita Era Digital initiative, in partnership with the Malaysian government, is training women on how to use mobile internet and how it can be used to improve their lives and their businesses.

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kJP8S3_8io4"] Learn how the Digi Wanita Era Digital Initiative has helped Madam Maszni’s shoe production business in Malacca to reach more customers.

https://new.digi.com.my/digitelco

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe

EconetLeo Burundi

Grameenphone

https://www.grameenphone.com/Grameenphone

Indosat Ooredoo

Empowering Indonesian women

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https://indosatooredoo.com/portal/id/corpcsrlanding @IndosatOoredoo

Jio

https://www.jio.com/reliancejio

Mobitel Sri Lanka

Mobitel's tailored services for women

https://www.mobitel.lk/MobitelSriLanka

MTN Ghana

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw18.png" text="MTN Ghana"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, MTN Ghana has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base to 45% by 2020. MTN Ghana is currently running several initiatives to drive adoption and usage of mobile money among women; a key focus is tapping into existing sectors where women are already active participants. We are targeting female fishmongers along the coast, market women, beauticians, dressmakers, and other women associations to register and use mobile money for financial transactions, savings, and access to micro-insurance and micro-loans. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LgibkOMUYNc"] “We at MTN Mobile Money are elated to be part of the GSMA Connected Women Initiative. Globally, females make up a little over half of the world’s population, but their contribution to economic activity and well-being is far below its potential, resulting in socio-economic consequences. Women play a pivotal role in contributing to the growth of the economy, and we are therefore committed to ensuring that we bridge the gap in women participation in financial services.” Eli Hini – General Manager, Mobile Financial Service [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/https://youtu.be/embed/7QNCHFJm454"]

https://www.mtn.com.gh MTNGhana

Ooredoo Maldives

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

http://www.ooredoo.mv/OoredooMaldives

Ooredoo Myanmar

Orange Cote D’Ivoire

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw2.png" text="Orange Cote D’Ivoire"] As part of GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment initiative, Orange Cote d’Ivoire has made a commitment to increase the proportion of women in its Orange Money customer base by 5 percentage points by 2020. Orange Cote d’Ivoire is proud to partner with GSMA Connected Women in a collective effort to connect women around the world. Following the commitment by Orange Côte d’Ivoire to reduce the gender gap in their mobile money customer base by 2020, GSMA Connected Women went to Côte d’Ivoire to ask women about their experiences using Orange Mobile Money. Watch this video to hear the stories of women who are using mobile money to improve their lives. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sj4NaXZDt80"]

https://www.orange.ci/CI_Orange

Orange Mali

Robi Axiata

https://www.robi.com.bd TweetRobi

Safaricom PLC

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/210Zzv-A7nE"]

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo

950,000 customers have picked up the product, 51% of whom were women. More than 50% have completed paying for the device.
94% of Data Active Neon Ray Pro devices are attached to the network.

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://www.safaricom.co.ke/SafaricomPLC

Smart Burundi

Smart Tanzania

Smart Uganda

Sonatel (Orange Senegal)

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw4.png" text="Sonatel (Orange Senegal)"] “Orange Money Senegal is proud of its commitment alongside the GSMA Connected Women in order to promote the inclusion of women in the digital world, and in particular to support them in the use of digital financial services. We commit to increase the proportion of female active customer in our Orange Money base by 7 percentage points from 2017 to 2020. We are convinced that the daily life of African women can be greatly improved by new sources of financing and group savings, and adapted money transfer and payment services. At Orange Money, we are committed to supporting women on the path to financial self-sufficiency and inclusive emergence” Aminata Kane Ndiaye – Head of Marketing Orange Money Sénégal “Orange Money Sénégal est fier de son engagement aux côtés de GSMA pour le projet Connected Women », afin de favoriser l’inclusion des femmes dans le monde digital, et plus particulièrement pour les accompagner sur l’utilisation des services financiers digitalisés. Nous nous engageons à augmenter la proportion de femmes au sein de notre clientèle active Orange Money de 7 points de pourcentage de 2017 à 2020. Nous sommes convaincus que le quotidien des femmes africaines peut considérablement s’améliorer grâce à de nouvelles sources de financement et d’épargne collective, et à des services adaptés de transfert d’argent et de paiement. Chez Orange Money, nous nous engageons à accompagner les femmes sur la voie de l’autonomie financière et de l’émergence inclusive”. Aminata Kane Ndiaye Directrice Marketing Orange Money Sénégal

https://www.orange.sn/orange_sn

Telenor Pakistan

[video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RqNumuyC2k"]

- Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO, Telenor Pakistan

Inclusion initiatives

telenorpakistan

Tigo Chad

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw7.png" text="Tigo Chad"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Tigo Chad have made commitments in both mobile internet and mobile money. They have committed to increase the proportion of women connected to the Internet from 5% to 10% and that of women using electronic money “Tigo Cash” from 1% to 10% by the year 2020. “Like the GSMA Tigo Chad is committed to the critical role of women in the sustainable development of all countries. Currently too many women are excluded from accessing the internet or electronic money, due to external factors such as illiteracy, low purchasing power or adverse social pressure. We have a strong historic record in addressing this issue through a range of initiatives such as training, special offers and discounted rates. Our decision to sign the GSMA Connected Women initiative builds on this strong record and underlines our commitment to ensure digital and financial inclusion for all Chadian women.” Papa Sow, General Manager, Tigo Chad

https://www.td.tigo.com/tigotchad

Tigo El Salvador

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw8.png" text="Tigo El Salvador"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Tigo El Salvador has committed to increase the proportion of women in their Mobile Internet customer base in El Salvador from 48% to 50% by 2020. TIGO El Salvador is committed to equalize the use of the Internet among its male and female clients by 2020. To achieve this, TIGO will implement initiatives to contribute to the closing of the digital and financial gap in the country. One of such initiatives is “Salvadorans connected for development” which aims to train approximately 100,000 women in how to use the Internet in their daily lives, including awareness of the risks of using the Internet for children and young people, and how to use Tigo Money, as a mobile electronic wallet, for their empowerment.

The project, in which TIGO will invest $ 112,000 from 2017 to 2020, has two main executors: El Salvador del Mundo Foundation (FUSALMO) and World Vision. With the support of FUSALMO, more than 35,000 mothers, heads of households and community leaders will be trained through Corporate Responsibility programs that TIGO is driving at a national level. The NGO World Vision will train 56,000 women from all over the country, starting in 2017 with 9 municipalities (San Julián, Guaymango, Jujutla, Acajutla, Caluco, Armenia, Tepetitán, San Francisco Menéndez and Soyapango) where they have presence with their programs. This initiative will also be supported with strategic business actions, such as increasing the penetration of Tigo Shop among women, a digital channel aimed to facilitate balance check and purchase of internet packages. As well, as increasing the penetration of smartphones among women.

The launching event of the initiative “Salvadorean women connected for development” along with the GSMA Connected Women Commitment took place in January 10th 2017 in the presence of government officials, the Sweedish Ambassador and some women who are participating in the training program. Read more here.

https://www.tigo.com.sv/TigoElSalvador

Tigo Guatemala

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw10.png" text="Tigo Guatemala"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Tigo Guatemala has committed to design strategies aiming to increase the proportion of women in their Mobile Internet customer base in Guatemala from 46% to 50% by 2020. To reach this goal, Tigo works in partnership with SHEVA, an organization that is dedicated to teach girls and women on how to use the internet and mobile tools to improve their lives, this through three focus areas: entrepreneurship, education and personal growth. The initiative targets economically active women between the ages of 15 and 40. “Women are a fundamental pillar for the development of societies. This type of initiative allows us to empower them and put technological tools at their disposal, in order to help them and their families have a better future.” Melanie Reimers, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Tigo Guatemala Read more about how the Tigo Guatemala and SHEVA partnership is empowering young women in this EduMe blog.

https://www.tigo.com.gt/Tigo_GT

Tigo Honduras

Tigo Paraguay

Tigo Senegal

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw12.png" text="Tigo Senegal"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Tigo Senegal has committed to increase the proportion of women with access to mobile money. Women are important economic players across Africa and Tigo Senegal is committed to helping them better structure their activities, and support them as they grow their businesses. Increasing access to Tigo Cash will help women secure their money, easily manage transfers and better track their transactions.

“Women play a significant role in the economies of the countries we operate in and we are dedicated to simplifying their lives giving them security and convenience. We want to enable them to manage and grow their businesses, it is for this reason that we are delighted to support the GSMA Connected Women programme“. Diego Camberos, CEO

https://www.tigo.sn/tigosn

Tigo Tanzania

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cw13.png" text="Tigo Tanzania"] As part of the GSMA's Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Tigo Tanzania has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base to 40% by 2020.

Tigo Tanzania is the leading innovative telecommunication company in the country, distinguished as a fully-fledged digital lifestyle brand. At Tigo, creating positive change is part of our DNA as we bring the digital lifestyle to our customers and communities. We take our responsibilities to the countries and communities in which we work very seriously and strive to deliver positive social impact in our communities. Our road map for 2016 and beyond takes us towards wider digital and financial inclusion, social investment, among other objectives. It is because of this that we signed the Connected Women Initiative and have committed to increase the proportion of women in our mobile money customer base, as we belief that this is critical in driving financial inclusion for women. Tigo Tanzania has several initiatives planned to reach more women in the country. One such initiative is the Connected Women/Dreams project in partnership with JHPIEGO an “international non-profit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University”. The main objectives of this initiative is to empower women and girls through financial and digital inclusion, women are empowered to own mobile phones and begin to use TigoPesa and able to manage their own finances. It is through this and other initiatives that we are excited to have increased the proportion of women in our mobile money customer base by 2% since signing our commitment and we move closer to realizing our 2020 target.

“Financial inclusion is engraved in our road map for 2016 and beyond and we know that for our businesses and communities to thrive, we must include women as they form close to 50% of the population. It’s for this reason that Tigo Tanzania has committed to increase the proportion of women in our mobile money customer base to 40% by 2020.” Tigo Tanzania, Managing Director, Mr Simon Karikari

https://www.tigo.co.tz/Tigo_TZ

Turkcell

https://www.turkcell.com.tr/Turkcell

Vodacom Congo

https://www.vodacom.cd/Vodacomcongo

Vodacom South Africa

Vodacom Tanzania

https://www.vodacom.co.tz/VodacomTanzania

Vodafone Idea Limited

[heroimage image="/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Vodafone-Idea-Hero-Image3.png" text="Vodafone Idea Limited"] As part of the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, Vodafone Idea Limited has committed to increase the proportion of women in their mobile money customer base and in their mobile internet customer base by 2020 in India. Vodafone's Initiatives India has over a billion mobile connections and almost half of the population is women. Yet, fewer than 18% of mobile subscribers are women. Furthermore, women in India are less likely than men to have access to a smartphone and most women use a feature phone or a basic phone. Vodafone Sakhi, a first-of-its kind mobile-based safety service, is designed exclusively for women. A variety of features including Emergency Alerts, Emergency Balance and Private Number Recharge provide free safety measures through the mobile connection to women customers using Vodafone pre-paid and post-paid services across the country. It works on all types of mobile phones, even without any balance or mobile internet. Empowering Women in India Research in India has highlighted that safety is a huge concern for women. Vodafone Idea launched Sakhi to respond to women’s needs and enhance their agency. To date, Sakhi has reached millions of women across India. Analysis of customers data pre- and post-Sakhi adoption shows that, compared to non-subscribers, Sakhi subscribers have higher loyalty to Vodafone and higher average revenue per user. [video youtube="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jq5WUPcLaKg"] “Safety and security of women is a burning issue in this country and this makes for a very compelling case as to how we could look at using technology to secure the safety of women and empower them so they feel confident as they step out of their houses.” - Avneesh Khosla, Operations Director - Marketing, Vodafone Idea Limited Click here to download the Vodafone Sakhi case study.

https://www.vodafoneidea.com/VodafoneIN

Wave Money

Equity lives in our DNA

“One of the really interesting insights of Myanmar as a country is that senior women in a household tend to run the money. We want to introduce more women to our digital product.”

- Brad Jones, CEO of Wave Money

Wave Money in partnership with MYANWEN and the GSMA

[button text="Back to Commitment Initiative page" link="https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-women/the-commitment/" colour="red" icon="back" newtab="no"]

https://wavemoney.com.mm/WaveMoney_MM

Zantel