This document discusses gender inclusivity in socioeconomic development and reducing the gender digital divide. It notes that women face disadvantages compared to men in accessing technology due to factors like poverty and traditional gender roles. To promote inclusivity, it recommends gender-specific initiatives like MAMA that provide health information to mothers via mobile phones. It also suggests providing financial relief through lowered costs and increasing infrastructure in rural areas where many women live to expand access. The goal is to ensure equal participation of men and women in development by reducing barriers that women face in accessing mobile technologies.

1. GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN
DEVELOPMENT
MOBILE REGULATION FOR SOCIAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

2. INTRODUCTION
 “digital divide” refers to the gap between individuals, households,
businesses
and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both
to their opportunities to access information and communication
technologies (ICTs) and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of
activities (OECD, Understanding the Digital Divide)
 Gender Inclusivity in socio economic development is one of the Agendas
of the Sustainable Development Goals.
 It entails the reduction or elimination of gender divide in development;
with my focus being on gender digital divide
 Advantage that men have traditionally received, as intellectually sound
and more interested in technology.
 Moreover, men have better chances of learning technological
development due to exposure to education; a luxury women are unable
to enjoy

3. CONT…
 Its been reported that it is more difficult for women and other
disadvantaged groups compared to men (Wilson, 2003).
 Moreover, women living under poverty account for a larger
percentage than men.
 This makes it more difficult for women to have access to a
computer or to take advantage of technological advancements.
 In developing countries, women are perceived as homemakers
and thus presumed to be uninterested in development, while girls
are married off at a young age, increasing chances of living in
poverty.
 Affordability of technological devices such as mobile phones have
a huge impact on ability to purchase or maintain a phone,
especially for women living in rural areas and or living in poverty,

6. REDUCING GENDER DIVIDE
 Socioeconomic development requires equal participation of both men and
women regardless of their status in society.
 There are several ways in which gender divide can be reduced in order to
promote development:
1. Gender Specific Initiatives
Training ensures that everyone is given an equal chance to learn. In order to ensure
outreach to marginalized groups, its important for government to generate
programmes that meet the needs of women. This also entails the creation of
platforms that are unique to women’s needs.
The Mobile Alliance For Maternal Action (MAMA) provides a good illustration.
Developed by USAID, Johnson & Johnson, UN Foundation and Baby Care
Center, the platform allows expectant mothers to have access to health-related
information through mobile phones.
The initiative has supported creation of other platforms in Nigeria, Bangladesh,
India, South Africa amongst others

7. WOMEN SPECIFIC NEEDS
MAMA allows pregnant women pr their loved ones to access information
faster and easily

8. CONT…
 2. Financial Relief
The traditional financial divide between men and women make it more difficult for
women to have access to mobile financial services.
Inclusivity entails the cooperation between government agencies and the private
sector in order to lower subscription costs. This would go a long way in reduction
of digital divide. The reduction of taxes or other fees would be one of the ways in
which government agencies can use to relive financial burden from vulnerable
groups.

9.  3. Penetration in Rural Areas
In developing and poor countries, the largest number of women live
in rural areas. This is because the traditional perspective of
gender roles.
According to Women Watch, the fact that most women reside in
rural areas with poor or lack of infrastructure leads to more divide
in economic participation (Available at
://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/ruralwomen/facts-
figures.html) .
Low telecommunications infrastructure penetration in rural areas is a
good example.
In order to address that divide, USF or Infrastructure sharing
initiatives should be created by governments in cooperation with
the network providers.

10. CONCLUSION
 Women make up nearly half of the world’s
population.
 In order to achieve the SDGs, the role of
women in development must be fully
recognized especially in the use of mobile
technologies for economic development.

11. A SMALL BUSINESS WOMAN USING A PHONE