"The persistent gender gap in mobile access and use is already well documented, as are the significant benefits of closing it. Across low- and middle-income countries today, women are eight per cent less likely than men to own a mobile phone, 20 per cent less likely to use mobile internet and 33 per
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cent less likely to use mobile money. Often, it is those marginalised women who are without access to a mobile phone and all its services who would benefit most from using one. Equipping women with mobiles, bringing them online and enabling them to access a wealth of information and services, including mobile money and mobile internet, can also have a positive impact on their families and communities, and help to achieve many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For the mobile industry, this also makes business sense. We estimate that closing the gender gap in mobile access and use could generate a revenue uplift for the mobile industry of 12 to 37 per cent in a typical low- and middle-income market in Africa, and 11 to 54 per cent in Asia. This guide outlines the practical steps mobile operators can take to reach female customers and realise this opportunity. Drawing on our research and work with operators and other partners across Africa, Asia and Latin America over the last decade, including a recent survey of employees from mobile operating companies (opcos) by Altai Consulting, we have distilled 10 key recommendations for reaching women with mobile. While consideration of the unique local context is crucial, some overarching themes have emerged. Examples are used to illustrate our recommendations, and some in-depth case studies are included in the Appendix." (Introduction, page 6)
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"Women on average are 14% less likely to own a mobile phone than men, which translates into 200 million fewer women than men owning mobile phones. Women in South Asia are 38% less likely to own a phone than men, highlighting that the gender gap in mobile phone ownership is wider in certain parts of
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the world. Even when women own mobile phones, there is a significant gender gap in mobile phone usage, which prevents them from reaping the full benefits of mobile phone ownership. Women report using phones less frequently and intensively than men, especially for more sophisticated services such as mobile internet. In most countries, fewer women than men who own phones report using messaging and data services beyond voice. Cost remains the greatest barrier overall to owning and using a mobile phone, particularly for women, who often have less financial independence than men." (Executive summary)
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