Progress closing the mobile internet gender gap stalls in LMICs: GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025
LONDON, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Progress in closing the gender gap in mobile internet use across LMICs stalled in 2024, according to the ' Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025', published today by the GSMA. Findings show that women are still 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet, with around 235 million fewer women online. Overall, 885 million women in LMICs remain without mobile internet access, the majority of whom live in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The report examines data on women's mobile access and use across 15 LMICs, the barriers they face to adopting and using mobile internet and how this compares with men. Most women surveyed reported that mobile internet positively impacts their lives by enhancing communication, supporting livelihoods, and enabling access to essential services such as healthcare and finance.
While 63% of women in LMICs are using mobile internet, gender gaps remain. This gap narrowed from 25% in 2017, and to 15% in 2020 but stagnated between 2021 and 2022. In 2023, it narrowed again returning to 15% but has seen little change since. The disparity remains highest in South Asia (32%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (29%).
Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at the GSMA comments: "It's disheartening that progress in reducing the mobile internet gender gap has stalled. The data highlights the urgent need for increased focus and investment by all stakeholders working together to close the digital gender divide. The mobile internet gender gap is not going to close on its own. It is driven by deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural factors that disproportionately impact women. Our Connected Women Commitment Initiative shows that by taking concrete actions to address women's needs and the barriers they face, it is possible to drive change. Since this initiative was launched in 2016, our operator partners have collectively reached over 80 million additional women with mobile internet or mobile money services."
While 61% of women in LMICs own a smartphone, that still leaves 945 million without one. Entry-level smartphones cost women an average of 24% of their monthly income, double the cost for men. Once connected, women use mobile internet less frequently and for fewer services, citing affordability, safety, and poor connectivity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
The Government of Canada invests over $14.4 million to empower young Canadians to address climate change and support a healthy environment Français
VANCOUVER, BC, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - From protecting our wildlife to conserving our forested areas, young Canadians play a big part in tackling climate change. Still, they can be better equipped to do so through enhanced access to resources and environmental education. We are committed to providing young people with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions to environmental challenges as we work toward a clean, net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $14.4 million from the Environmental Damages Fund's Climate Action and Awareness Fund to support 17 environmental literacy projects across Canada. These projects will develop the tools and skills young Canadians need as they work toward solutions to fight climate change. The Minister announced the funding in Vancouver while visiting one of the funding recipients, BC Parks Foundation. They are receiving $1.8 million to develop the environmental literacy and leadership of young Canadians in British Columbia. This project will provide opportunities for students across the province to learn about and take positive steps to mitigate climate change and improve biodiversity in parks and protected areas, as well as in their school grounds and classrooms. In addition to the funding from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, BC Parks Foundation is receiving $1.5 million from the Government of British Columbia's Ministry of Environment and Parks for this project. This funding complements the investment made by BC Parks Foundation. The project is a promising example of provincial-federal-private collaboration on environmental learning. Indigenous communities and organizations, academia, community organizations, and environmental organizations are leading the projects receiving funding today. The projects include creating learning opportunities in parks, holding community outreach events, and developing learning materials for young Canadians and their educators. This will help increase awareness of the local environment and demonstrate how residents can make an impactful difference in their communities. Of the funding announced today, $3.2 million is dedicated to Indigenous-led projects, aiming to provide Indigenous youth with environmental education that intertwines both Traditional Knowledge and western climate science. Quotes "Young Canadians are driven, curious, and creative, and they have the power to find dynamic and innovative solutions to take action against climate change. Our goal through the Climate Action and Awareness Fund is to provide them with the necessary resources to find these solutions. Environmental literacy is crucial and often overlooked in the fight against climate change. By making these resources accessible, we will equip the future generation of Canadians, their parents, guardians, and educators with the knowledge and skills they need to help reduce Canada's emissions and create a more sustainable future." – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change "Spending time in nature is important for our overall health and well-being. When we connect youth to nature on their school grounds, we aren't just showing them the beauty of the natural world—we are helping them understand their local parks and their importance, which is key to growing a culture of environmental stewardship. We are grateful to British Columbia's provincial parks' supporters for making this possible, and through the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, we are proud to support the BC Parks Foundation's Learning by Nature program." – The Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, Government of British Columbia "At this critical juncture, when our planet is facing a climate emergency, environmental literacy for young people is essential. As those that represent the future of this country, their ability to understand the complex issues facing our environment will equip them well into being better citizens and helping to build a stronger, more sustainable economy for the future." – Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville "We're thrilled to be part of a national movement that brings nature into the heart of education. Through our Learning by Nature program, students are transforming schoolyards into thriving, biodiverse spaces where they can take climate action, support local ecosystems, and connect with nearby protected areas. These nature-rich environments improve academic outcomes and provide opportunities for land-based learning, while also supporting mental health and well-being, right where kids learn and play." – Jennie McCaffrey, Vice President, Health and Education, BC Parks Foundation Quick facts Environmental literacy is a key goal of environmental learning. It refers to the ability to understand and consider how human activities, ecological systems, and the changing climate are connected. Environmental literacy involves understanding not only climate science and environmental forces at work, but also sustainable practices and the ethical and social aspects of environmental challenges. The projects announced today include those national in scope, as well as local initiatives that will benefit youth across the country. As part of a pilot project to maximize the investment and increase project impact, some funding recipients also secured additional support from Canadian philanthropic organizations which share an interest in environmental education and climate literacy. Through strong, trusted partnerships across various sectors of society, the Government of Canada is taking a collaborative approach to supporting youth in taking action through practical measures for a prosperous and low-carbon future. Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund receives money from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments for environmental violations. This money is used to support projects that will benefit Canada's natural environment, usually in the area where the violation occurred. Established in 2020 and administered under the Environmental Damages Fund, the Climate Action and Awareness Fund was created largely from the highest penalty ever received by the Environmental Damages Fund. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund is investing up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian-made projects that help reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. These projects are critical to building a sustainable net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Associated links Climate Action and Awareness Fund Environmental Damages Fund Environment and Climate Change Canada's LinkedIn page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Instagram page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Cision Canada
15 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation - EVENING LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS - July 21, 2025
TORONTO, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Monday 21/07/2025 Daily Grand Regular Draw 01, 02, 39, 41, 49 Grand No 06 POKER LOTTO Winning Hand: 3-D, 2-H, A-C, 8-D, K-C. MEGA DICE LOTTO 6, 7, 16, 26, 32 & 35 Bonus 25. PICK-2: 2 7 PICK-3: 0 6 5 PICK-4: 4 2 0 7 ENCORE: 2248940 DAILY KENO 3, 7, 11, 13, 16, 17, 22, 25, 30, 32 38, 40, 43, 49, 51, 53, 56, 59, 64, 67. POWERBUCKS™ WATCH 'N WIN: 2, 9, 12, 18, 33, 36 MidDay lottery winning numbers PICK-2: 0 2 PICK-3: 9 7 5 PICK-4: 8 7 5 5 ENCORE: 9839857 DAILY KENO 1, 5, 6, 10, 14, 20, 26, 31, 35, 36 39, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 52, 65, 70. POWERBUCKS™ is a trademark of IGT or its affiliates. SOURCE OLG Winners
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
Rouge National Urban Park Celebrates 10 Years Français
Milestone anniversary for Canada's first national urban park MARKHAM, ON, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Rouge National Urban Park, Canada's first national urban park and one of the largest protected urban parks in the world, offers easy access to residents of Canada's largest urban centre to explore a rich assembly of forests, creeks, farms and trails as well as marshland, a beach on Lake Ontario and human history spanning 10,000 years. Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, celebrated this important milestone at an event honouring Indigenous partners, volunteers, farmers, advocates, and local stakeholders who have helped shape the vision of the park. The ceremony highlighted key achievements from the past decade, including major land assembly and legislation, the completion of the park's first management plan, the development of a multi-species action plan, the completion of 137 restoration projects with partners and collaborators, the addition of 23 km of new trails and a $21 million investment in the future visitor, learning and community centre. Since its establishment in 2015, Rouge National Urban Park has become a globally recognized model for conservation in an urban setting. Spanning over 79 square kilometres, an area 1.3 times larger than the city of Manhattan, the park protects a remarkable diversity of natural, cultural, and agricultural landscapes and continues to evolve through Indigenous leadership, community stewardship, restoration efforts, and collaboration across all levels of government. Parks Canada will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rouge National Urban Park throughout 2025. Weekly features on the park's Facebook page will highlight key moments of its history, while on-site anniversary programming will offer visitors opportunities to reflect on the park's past, share their own stories, and contribute to a collective vision for the future of Canada's first national urban park. Quotes "Rouge National Urban Park demonstrates how strong conservation efforts and partnerships can restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and reconnect people with nature - and with each other -within their own communities. Its creation was made possible through decades of dedicated advocacy by community organizers and support from all levels of government. Today, this commitment to unity and collaboration continues to guide our government's approach to protecting what shapes our identity and makes us proud from coast to coast to coast. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "Rouge National Urban Park is both a cherished haven for residents and an emerging destination for visitors from across Canada and around the world. As the first of many national urban parks to come, the Rouge is setting the stage for a new era of urban tourism where conservation, recreation, and sustainability go hand in hand. With new trails, stronger community links, and a landmark visitor centre on the way, this park is not only protecting what we love about Canada, but also inviting more people than ever to discover it." The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Quick Facts Rouge National Urban Park spans over 79 square kilometres in the GTA and is one of the largest urban parks in North America. The park is home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, working farms, Indigenous heritage sites and some of the region's most important watersheds and wetlands. The park lies at the northern edge of the Carolinian Life Zone, a type of forest ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of life. Since 2015, more than 300,000 native trees, perennials, shrubs, and aquatic plants have been planted throughout Rouge National Urban Park. To date, Parks Canada and partners have completed 137 ecological restoration and farmland best management practices projects throughout Rouge National Urban Park. SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
