The impact that mobile phone access and usage can have on women has never been greater. Mobile women (mWomen) are still a growing segment in telecommunications, but with the alignment of the appropriate resources and support, mWomen may be on the verge of a breakthrough. The proliferation of projects in the fields of mobile health, mobile education, mobile agriculture, mobile money/banking, mobile social networks and mobile innovation in general have all demonstrated that women in particular can benefit both directly and indirectly through time and cost savings, access to life-saving information, the ability to communicate with others (who may be at long distances), increases in access to business opportunities, the ability to perform monetary transactions, and even nurturing their ability to read and write.
Cumulatively, these benefits for mWomen can help mobile network operators (MNOs) create a situation that is equal parts altruistic and lucrative. Pyramid Research believes that by supporting access to mobile phones, operators can help women leverage the information and tools that they need to assist them in the realization of their own personal and professional development goals. Advantages of the development of mWomen can include increased productivity, heightened feelings of personal safety, and even a reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates. At the same time, MNOs can establish a broader customer base that could result in more mobile phone subscriptions for female end users and eventually generate more revenue for the industry.
In this Insider, we examine the inhibiting factors as well as the conditions that drive interest in mobile phone adoption by women around the globe. Next we highlight examples of the benefits that mobile phones have played a role in producing for women. Then a discussion follows of the potential gains that MNOs and governments will derive from a female citizenry with better and increased mobile phone access. We conclude with case studies of mobile women (mWomen) in action from the regions of Latin America, Africa & the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
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