'1.7 Bn Women In Emerging Economies Do Not Own Mobile Phones'

Social norms and disparities between men and women in terms of education and income influence women's access to and use of mobile technology, and often contribute to women experiencing barriers to mobile phone ownership and use more acutely than men.

The report builds on the findings from the 'Women and Mobile: A Global Opportunity' report launched in 2010, which first highlighted the disparity in mobile phone ownership between men and women in low- and middle-income countries.

The study also finds that despite the progress that has been made, women continue to be left behind and challenges remain in ensuring that women are included in an increasingly connected and internet-enabled world.

Of the thousands of women interviewed in this report across 11 countries, including both mobile phone owners and non-owners at least 89 percent said mobile phones help or would help them stay in touch with friends and family.

The report found that achieving parity in ownership and use between men and women in low- and middle-income countries could bring socio-economic benefits, such as the availability of new education and employment opportunities,to an additional 200 million women; unlock an estimated $170 billion market opportunity for the mobile industry by 2020 and deliver a positive economic contribution to society.
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