In this issue:

Internet.org app gives Zambian women free Internet access
Connecting Bangladeshi female entrepreneurs

View email in your browser

Gender and Mobiles Newsletter
Volume 3 Issue 4

Internet.org app gives Zambian women free Internet access

Facebook and Internet.org are working with Airtel Zambia and local government for their new app, which gives Zambian women free Internet access for resources on maternal health, childcare and illness, and female rights, and exposure to the Internet and the value it can bring.

The Internet.org app launched in Zambia, the first country where it has been rolled out, and was launched as an Android app, a tab in the Facebook for Android app, and as a mobile website available on feature phones. The content is created by MAMA, UNICEF and WRAPP, and the app is subsidized by Airtel.

Connecting Bangladeshâ€™s female entrepreneurs through mobile

The Asia Foundation and Banglalink â€“ Bangladeshâ€™s second largest mobile operator â€“ have launched a mobile service for female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. The service will connect these women from rural areas to each other, and allow them to share experiences and advice, as well as create a virtual marketplace in their district. The women will also gain access to the ICT-based tools and services that the Bangladeshi government is rolling out as part of the Digital Bangladesh imitative, and receive ICT training and support. The mobile platforms used include SMS, voice and specially developed apps.

Read more.

Forward

Is gender equality the next emerging market in mobile?

Forbes India takes a look at what they believe is the next big emerging market in mobile: gender equality. They recommend having a more diverse workforce so that women have better representation in the processes that bring new mobile solutions to the world.

Thereâ€™s also evidence that companies with more diversity outperform those that arenâ€™t as diverse â€“ which should be big wake up calls to the Apples, Googles and Facebooks of the world who have poor performances in hiring both women and other ethnic minorities.

Read more to find out how Nokia is tapping into this potential through its efforts to understand women and mobile.

Forward to Friend

Female savings group mobile service launched in Uganda

Airtel Uganda, the Grameen Foundation and Plan Uganda have launched a mobile savings solution aimed at female savings groups. Savings groups are an incredibly important alternative to the large numbers of Ugandan women who donâ€™t have access to financial services, but there are issues of robbery and theft due to the reliance on physical cash and the need to travel long distances to deposit the money into the bank.

The new service aims at reducing these risks through a mobile group wallet â€“ which also allows mobile-based record keeping, and mobile banking. The service is funded by the GSMA mWomen programme.

Read more.

Forward to Friend

The case for technologically competitive girls and women

Advocate Rainatou Sow sees ICTs, especially mobile phones, not only as a tool of empowerment but also as a tool for girls and women to advocate for themselves and each other.

In this article, she reviews a number of recent reports that illustrate the severity of the gender gap in mobile access. Concurrently, she highlights the opportunities for women in Africa to benefit from access in areas such as financial independence, employment and entrepreneurship, and their safety.

Read more.

Forward

Women and Mobile Learning: an infographic

We will let the infographic do the talking! Hat tip to Laura Taflinger for her creation.

Enlarge to find out more!

Training South Sudanese women how to create mobile apps

Zain in South Sudan has partnered with UNESCO to train 40 young South Sudanese â€“ some of whom are women â€“ in how to develop mobile apps. It is hoped that this will lead to young women, with high-level skills and confidence, and generate more female employment and representation in the ICT industry.

Read more.

Is mobile money beneficial to women if they donâ€™t know it exists?

A survey in India shows that mobile money still is out of reach for the masses - a gender gap exists, but there is even greater disparity between urban men and rural women.

Designing mobile money services with women in mind will help women build familiarity with such services.
Read more.

The next issue of the Gender & Mobiles Newsletter is scheduled to be published in October 2014. We welcome your contributions!

This newsletter was created by Ronda Zelezny-Green and Alexandra Tyers.

Please bring any mistakes or omissions to the attention of the editors. Revisions will be addressed in the subsequent issue.

Interested in contributing? Click on the "Write Us!" link below.

Twitter

Website

Write us!