#London #UK #GSMA #Gender Gap #Mobile Internet

Overview

The recent findings from the GSMA's 'Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025' highlight a concerning situation regarding the gender disparity in mobile internet usage in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). As of 2024, the progress that was being made to close this gap has come to a halt. Currently, women are 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet, translating to nearly 885 million women still lacking access to this crucial technology.

Key Findings

The report reveals that women's mobile internet usage remains significantly behind men's, with around 235 million fewer women online. The majority of these unconnected women reside in regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In terms of statistics, while 63% of women in LMICs are connected to mobile internet, a gender gap persists at 14%, reflecting stagnation in progress. The gap, which had narrowed from 25% in 2017 to 15% in 2020, has seen minimal change since then.

Barriers to Access

Central to this disparity are several barriers that women face in adopting and utilizing mobile internet services. These obstacles include socio-economic challenges, cultural norms, and issues related to affordability and safety. Women in these regions report that enhanced communication, improved livelihoods, and access to vital services—such as healthcare and financial resources—are among the numerous benefits of being connected. However, the digital divide continues to grow due to these underlying obstacles, preventing many from gaining equal access.

Impact of Smartphones

Although 61% of women in LMICs own smartphones, an alarming 945 million remain without one. Factors such as high entry-level smartphone costs—which average 24% of a woman’s monthly income, as opposed to just 12% for men—contribute to this disparity. Furthermore, once connected, women tend to utilize mobile internet less frequently and for fewer services than their male counterparts, citing similar concerns around affordability and safety. Poor network connectivity exacerbates the issue, posing additional challenges to their online engagement.

Call to Action

Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at GSMA, stresses the importance of collective action among stakeholders to address this persistent issue. "The data clearly illustrates that closing the mobile internet gender gap will not happen on its own; it requires concerted efforts to tackle the social, economic, and cultural obstacles that disproportionately affect women." Since the launch of the Connected Women Commitment Initiative in 2016, there has been hope, as operators have managed to reach over 80 million additional women with mobile internet and mobile money services. However, she emphasizes that ongoing efforts must intensify to propel progress and ensure that all women, particularly in LMICs, have equal opportunities to connect.

Conclusion

The findings of the GSMA's Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 serve as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. Nevertheless, with concerted efforts, informed initiatives, and a focus on women's needs, achieving digital equity in mobile internet access is not just a possibility—it is a necessity. Closing the digital gender divide is a crucial step toward not only enhancing women's lives but also fostering greater economic growth and societal development in LMICs.