YOMI KAZEEM
The rapid growth of mobile phone ownership in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been one of the defining trends of the past decade. But the growth has been far from even with women across these countries significantly less likely to own mobile phones or have access to mobile internet services, resulting in “a persistent gender gap.”
However, closing that gap in LMICs could result in allround multi-billion dollar benefits, a new study by industry trade body GSMA estimates.
An increase in mobile phone ownership and mobile internet use among women in LMICs could potentially boost and transform businesses, thus improving quality of life for entire families.
By extension, it will also be a boon for the average revenue per user of telecom operators and could broadly provide an estimated additional $140 bilClosing the mobile phone gender gap is a $700 billion opportunity lion in revenue to the mobile industry over the next five years.
A collective commitment from LMICs to make and support moves to close the gap also promises serious upside: GSMA estimates more equal mobile internet use rates between genders could add $700 billion or 0,7% in GDP growth in these countries over the next five years.
The key to any of this, however, is removing current barriers – including affordability and literacy rates – to mobile ownership among women.
Given enduring cultural realities in some of these countries, women are less likely to earn money and receive highlevel education compared to men.
In parts of northern Nigeria, for instance, literacy rates among women are markedly lower than men.
As the report notes, the mobile gender gap not only reflects existing inequalities but could also compound them with millions of women “left behind as societies and economies digitise.”
But there is significant work to be done as, overall, women in LMICs are 10% less likely than men to own a mobile phone and are 23% less likely than men to use mobile internet services.
South Asia is the most affected region globally, with 28% of women less likely to own mobile phones, followed by SubSaharan Africa with 15%. The disparity is also reflected in the gap in mobile internet use between both genders.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.
GSMA data covers every operator group and network in every country worldwide – from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It is the most accurate and complete set of industry metrics available, comprising tens of millions of individual data points, updated daily.
The GSMA’s new report shows that 1.7 billion women now own a mobile phone in LMICs and over a billion use mobile internet.
As the reach of mobile grows, it is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for delivering life-enhancing information, services and opportunities to millions who have not had the opportunity to access them before.
These individuals tend to belong to the most marginalised groups: they are disproportionately rural, illiterate and older. They are also predominantly female.
“If the mobile gender gap is not addressed, women risk being left behind as societies and economies digitise,” the report says, adding: “It is important for all stakeholders to take action to deliver the significant benefits of mobile and internet to women, their families, communities and the economy.
“Mobile can help empower women, making them more connected, safe and able to access information and services. Closing the mobile gender gap also represents a significant commercial and economic opportunity.”
