Over 80% of women in low and middle-income countries now own mobile devices, yet significant disparities persist in connectivity. A new GSMA report shows 250 million more women gained mobile ownership since 2014, with mobile phones serving as the primary internet access method for 48% of women in these regions.
The study found women remain 10% less likely than men to own mobile phones and 23% less likely to use mobile internet. In South Asia, the gap is most pronounced, with women 28% less likely to own devices and 58% less likely to access mobile internet. GSMA Director General Mats Granryd emphasized that unequal access risks deepening existing inequalities, urging coordinated efforts from industry, policymakers, and international bodies to address barriers like affordability, digital literacy, and safety concerns.
Despite growing connectivity, the report underscores that 432 million women in these regions remain unconnected, requiring targeted interventions to close the mobile gender gap.
