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Connected Women

Accelerating digital and financial inclusion for women across low- and middle-income countries.

About us

Our mission is to reduce the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services in low- and middle-income countries and unlock significant commercial and socio-economic opportunities. We work with mobile operators and their partners to address the barriers to women accessing and using mobile internet and mobile money services. When women thrive, societies, businesses and economies thrive.

Explore the mobile gender gap

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All our latest news, reports and research in one place.

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The mobile gender gap

Download the Connected Women programme’s annual flagship report.

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Understanding women micro-entrepreneurs’ use of mobile phones for business

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Accelerating digital and financial inclusion for women: An overview of the Connected Women programme

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A woman in a colorful traditional saree is connected, using a smartphone.

Policy considerations to accelerate digital inclusion for women in low- and middle-income countries

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The Connected Women Commitment Initiative

Since 2016, more than 50 MNOs have made formal commitments to accelerate women’s digital and financial inclusion, collectively reaching over 70 million women.

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Accelerating Digital and Financial Inclusion

This overview highlights the opportunities and barriers to closing the mobile gender gap, and provides recommendations for addressing them.

A connected woman wearing a red traditional outfit and holding a black umbrella stands at a roadside, looking at her phone. The background includes mountains, buildings, and a motorcycle in motion.

The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024

Our annual flagship report explores the latest data on the mobile gender gap, the key barriers preventing women’s equal access to and use of mobile, and what is needed to bridge the gap.

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Reaching 50 Million Women with Mobile

Drawing on our research and work with partners across Africa, Asia and Latin America, we have distilled 10 key recommendations for reaching women with mobile.

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Female Micro-Entrepreneurs

Through research insights and work with our MNO partners, this initiative aims to empower women micro-entrepreneurs through mobile phone products and services.

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Connected Women Life Stories

Mobile technology is transforming the lives of women across low- and middle-income countries. We asked women from around the world to share their stories.

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This initiative is currently funded by UK International Development from the UK government and by the Swedish International Development Coorporation Agency (SIDA) and is supported by the GSMA and its members.