Ethio telecom inks an agreement with GSMA to increase digital inclusion of women

Addis Ababa, March 8, 2024 (FBC) – Ethio Telecom signed Connected Women initiative agreement with the Global Systems for Mobile ‘Communications Association (GSMA) in Barcelona, Spain aimed at bridging the digital gender gap and increasing the digital inclusion of women on a larger scale.

“The agreement aims to significantly raise the number of women using mobile internet and mobile money services (Telebirr) in our county by 2026. Our company is committed to providing inclusive mobile internet and digital financial services by designing and executing various strategies for its implementation, in collaboration with stakeholders with a specific emphasis on tackling socio-economic challenges faced by women,” Ethio Telecom stated.

At the commitment signing, Ethio telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru stated, “Women play a crucial role in our country’s development. Our company is dedicated to bridging the digital gender divide and empowering women to take part in the digital economy by providing more accessible mobile internet and digital financial services.”

In a world that is becoming more and more connected and digital, women are being left behind, she said.

“Across low- and middle-income countries, women are 7% less likely than men to own a mobile phone, 19% less likely to use mobile internet, and 28% less likely to use mobile money. These major gender disparities are impeding women from fully utilizing mobile technology’s benefits. Bridging the digital gender divide in the digital work is a crucial task that can have a positive impact on underprivileged women, their communities, and the overall economy in terms of sustainable and inclusive growth.”

The GSMA – Connected Women initiative, a program supported by GSMA member operators across the globe, is dedicated to improving women’s access to mobile internet and digital financial services.

Through the use of digital technology, this initiative strives to harness the potential of the mobile industry and empower women with significant commercial opportunities and socio-economic benefits, Firehiwot pointed out.

“In a similar manner, our company has taken steps to bridge the gender gap over the last four years. These include implementing various strategies, such as providing Special Women Mobile Packages and donating mobile devices and laptops to 71,083 women,” Frehiwot added.