Urgent action is needed to close the mobile gender gap

Image Credit: borgenproject.org

Progress in closing the mobile internet gender gap in LMICs has stalled, leaving millions of women offline. Urgent action is needed to overcome persistent barriers in an increasingly digital world.

We may live in an increasingly connected world, but in many regions, women are being left behind. In low-and middle-income countries, or LMICs, mobile is the primary — and often only - way that people access the internet, especially women. But while more men and women are using mobile internet than ever before, a substantial and persistent gender gap remains. More worryingly, progress in closing the mobile internet gender gap across LMICs has stalled.

Between 2017 and 2020, the mobile internet gender gap narrowed substantially, dropping from 25% to 15%. However, progress stalled in 2021 and 2022, when the gap widened slightly. Promisingly, in 2023, the gender gap narrowed again for the first time in three years, bringing the gap back to 15%, the same level as in 2020. Alarmingly, the latest data from The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 reveals that progress has stalled once again, with women 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet across LMICs.

This gender gap widens significantly in a number of regions and countries. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the widest gender gaps in mobile internet adoption, at 32% and 29%, respectively. In fact, around 60% of the 885 million women still not using mobile internet in LMICs live in those regions.

The importance of closing the mobile gender gap

The GSMA estimates that from 2023 to 2030, closing the gender gap in mobile internet adoption in LMICs would add $1.3 trillion in additional gross domestic product, or GDP. But addressing the divide not only benefits the economy. It also has the power to transform the lives of women and their families while enhancing societies and businesses.

Mobile technology can help to empower women - making them more connected, supporting livelihoods, and providing access to critical information, services, and life-enhancing opportunities, such as healthcare, education, and financial services - often for the first time. Disclaimer: This story has been edited by DNW staff as per DNW editorial guidelines and is published from a syndicated feed.