Campaign to Put Mobile Phones in Women's Hands Gains Momentum
Washington - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd have announced a three-year partnership with the GSMA mWomen Programme to increase mobile phone ownership among women in the developing world.
The partnership, announced November 30, is between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID); the GSMA, the world's largest mobile telecommunications industry group; and Visa Inc.
The GSMA mWomen Programme Global Development Alliance will manage the partnership, devoted to introducing 300 million women in low- and middle-income countries to mobile communications technology. According to a USAID news release, the initiative will enable women to use mobile phones to access life-enhancing information, networks and services - such as banking, education and health care.
Studies by the GSMA have shown that a 10 percent increase in mobile phone use has led to a 1.2 percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in low- and middle-income countries. However, research shows that women in the developing world are 21 percent less likely than men to own a mobile phone.
The expanded partnership will build on the mWomen Programme as it was first introduced in October 2010. At that time, Clinton said of the global campaign that "investing in women's progress is the most direct and effective way to invest in progress economically and socially."
In a news release issued by USAID, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said that a wide range of social and economic benefits can be delivered by extending mobile phone ownership to women.
"Mobile phones can provide women living in remote and rural areas with access to bank accounts and formal credit," Rudd said.
The GSMA will implement the mWomen Development Alliance, drawing upon its expertise in the industry and the resources of its membership from the global mobile industry.
"Mobile technology is a necessity in today's society, particularly in the developing world, where it provides an important lifeline for those who may not be connected through other means," said Anne Bouverot, director general of GSMA. "By marshaling the combined resources of the mobile industry - our technology, communications and people - we can make a real difference in the lives of women around the world."
The addition of Visa Inc. to the partnership brings the expertise and outreach of a global payments technology company to the goal of empowering women in the developing world, who have little experience with bank accounts, loans or credit.
"Around the world, we have begun to see the power that mobile technology can have in extending the reach of electronic payments, providing [those lacking banking services] with tools for payments and other life-enhancing financial services, and bringing new participants into the global financial system," said Joseph Saunders, chairman and chief executive officer of Visa. "We are proud to join this innovative public-private partnership to empower women at the base of the economic pyramid and improve their lives through mobile technology."
The mWomen Programme strives to give women access to mobile communication products and services, and to bring down the barriers that prevent women from gaining access to these technologies, including technical literacy and traditional attitudes. The program also supports development of mobile services tailored to the needs and interests of underserved women.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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