Globally, mobile phones are revolutionising daily life - even among some of the most marginalised groups. But girls are at the back of the queue when it comes to accessing mobile, which means they get more of the risks but fewer, if any, of the benefits.
Mobile can put unprecedented power in a girl’s hands - helping her feel safer and more connected, as well as to find information and opportunities in all areas of her life: from health information to financial services and employment opportunities. Closing the mobile gender gap will dramatically improve the lives of girls, their families, and their communities - and contribute towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Girl Effect and Vodafone Foundation have teamed up to empower seven million girls across seven countries (India, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Mozambique) with access to the information services they need through mobile. Working together with multiple partners and funders, the partnership aims to generate total funds of up to $25m over five years, including a $5m contribution from Vodafone Foundation.
The five-year partnership launched in September 2018 with the first-ever global study into adolescent girls and mobile phones, previewed at the Social Good Summit, in advance of the full report release on 11 October 2018, International Day of the Girl. The survey presented the most detailed picture to date of girls and mobile, along with recommendations for how to best use mobile in development interventions.