The GSM Association (GSMA), a coordinating group for telecoms operating under the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard, recently announced that it and its members are launching the “Connected Women Commitment” with the goal of lessening the “mobile gender gap” [1]. GSMA estimates that increasing women’s usage of mobile services can produce approximately USD 170 billion in additional revenue from 2015 through 2020.
Several GSMA members have started with the initiative in their respective markets, such as by “increasing the number of female agents […] improving the data top-up process to be safer and more appealing to women, and improving digital literacy among women through educational programs and interactive content.”
Mats Granryd, GSMA’s Director General, said: “GSMA research estimates there are 200 million fewer women than men who own a mobile phone in low- and middle-income countries. But even when women do own a mobile device, they are far less likely to use it for more sophisticated services, such as mobile internet and mobile money, and therefore miss out on key socio-economic opportunities. Ensuring digital and financial inclusion for women is critically important, as when women thrive, societies, businesses and economies thrive [2].”
As of March 2016, the membership of GSMA comprises approximately 800 mobile operators and 250 other companies.
By Kevin van den Brink, Research Associate
About GSM Association (GSMA)
The GSM Association (GSMA) was founded in 1995 as a follow-up of the Grupe Special Mobile, which was signed on September 7, 1987. This agreement has since evolved into a set of standards known as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). GSMA organizes events and serves the interests of approximately 800 mobile operators and 250 companies as of January 2016.
Sources and Additional Resources
[1] GSMA, News, “GSMA and mobile operators launch initiative to extend mobile money and mobile internet to women globally”
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