Bridging the Mobile Gender Gap

Overview

There is currently a significant gender gap associated with access to, and use of, the Internet and mobile broadband services. This course aims to help policymakers understand the size and drivers of the mobile gender gap in low- and middle-income countries and provides insights and recommendations on how to improve digital inclusion for women.

It focuses on mobile, since mobile has the power to transform lives and deliver broader societal benefits, providing citizens with access to life-enhancing services, often for the first time. Mobile is key to digital inclusion since it is now the primary way in which many gain access to the internet.

The course also focuses specifically on women, since despite the rapid growth in mobile technology, there remains a gender gap in mobile phone access and use. This means that women are missing out on the benefits of mobile connectivity – it is critical for both women and society that this gender gap is addressed. In an increasingly connected world we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.

Course Objectives

• Gain a better understanding of the issue and need for urgent action
• Discover how gender perspectives can be integrated into strategies, policies, plans and budgets so they explicitly address women’s needs, circumstances and preferences
• Learn how barriers such as affordability, safety and security concerns, digital skills, access, and the availability of relevant content can be addressed
• Learn about what other governments are doing to improve women’s digital inclusion
• Develop an action plan for your country to reduce the mobile gender gap.

With Thanks To Our Partners

This course is offered through the GSMA Connected Women programme, which works with governments, the mobile industry, the development community and others to improve digital and financial inclusion for women in low- and middle-income countries. The programme is funded by UK International Development from the UK government* and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It is also supported by the GSMA and its members.

*The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.

Course Enrolment Criteria

This course is open to:

• Regulators
• Policymakers
• Representatives from academia and international organisations working on regulatory or policy issues

We cannot accept applications from individuals working in the private sector or those not involved in policy or regulation.

Course Completion Certificates

All of our courses are certified by the United Kingdom Telecoms Academy (UKTA) and can be used as evidence of professional development.

To qualify for a course completion certificate, you must attend the face-to-face sessions. You will also need to fill out the course survey.

Course Structure and Study Time

The course consists of four sessions and you will gain access to all of them on the course start date.

If you have any special needs regarding this training course, please us let us know via our contact form so we can get in touch to discuss how your needs can be met.