Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Empowering women and girls through financial inclusion, civic and political engagement, and access to online resources

Power of digital

Digital solutions can support progress towards gender equality through financial inclusion and access to online resources, including for education, health, job opportunities and political participation. Necessary guardrails should be in place

Opportunities

• Financial inclusion through digital technologies
• AI-powered analysis of gender discrimination
• Improving women's agency and shaping female digital leaders to build products and services

Potential risks & digital harms

• Limited device ownership exacerbating gender-based violence and digital divide
• Under-representation of women in STEM fields and decision-making
• AI perpetuating gender-based biases and stereotypes

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Audiopedia

Audiopedia is a digital public good offering accessible audio education on health and gender rights to disadvantaged women and girls in the Global South

Examples of countries implemented

Pakistan, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Brazil

Power of digital

1. Digital audio solution for people with low levels of literacy
2. Ensures accurate information for women and girls in need
3. Increases outreach to all who have a mobile

“With Audiopedia […] we're igniting the transformative power of education to accelerate progress towards gender equality”
_{Felicitas Heyne, Founder, Audiopedia}

USAID/Microsoft Airband

Initiative brings meaningful connectivity and Internet access to women in remote areas

Examples of countries implemented

Guatemala, Ghana, India, Colombia, and Kenya

Power of digital

1. Provides implementation grants and ongoing technological assistance
2. Establishes digital community centres
3. Drives Internet access and digital training

“I think that the issue that this initiative is designed to address–the issue of prosperity and opportunity for women around the world when it comes to technology–is one of the issues of our time”
_{Brad Smith, President, Microsoft}