The gender digital divide

Digital technology is revolutionizing the word by providing access to information, finance and networks — all of which are necessary for women to reach their full economic potential and create more self-reliant communities.

Today, 1.7 billion women in low- and middle-income countries still do not own mobile phones. The internet user gender gap is more than 40 percent in some countries. The persistent gender digital divide is reinforcing, and even exacerbating, existing socioeconomic gaps between men and women.

Advancing women’s digital connectivity is key to promoting their empowerment in an increasingly digital world.

Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative WomenConnect Challenge

At the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick announced the second round of the WomenConnect Challenge under the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative. W-GDP is a U.S. Government wide effort to economically empower 50 million women in the developing world by 2025. By investing in women, USAID is enabling countries to progress beyond assistance by unlocking human potential on a transformational scale. USAID will disburse approximately three grants globally. The period of performance for each award is up to 24 months

The W-GDP WomenConnect Challenge seeks to bridge the gender digital divide so that women can fully participate in the global economy. Winning solutions will support the W-GDP’s three

Pillars:

• Advance workforce development and vocational education for women
• Provide access to capital, markets and networks for women entrepreneurs
• Remove restrictive regulatory, legal, workplace, and social barriers to enable women in the economy

Steps to Applying

Step One: Go to the WomenConnect Challenge Application Platform
Step Two: Download and read the Request for Applications (RFA)
Step Two: Create an account here and begin your application
You will need to remember your login information to access your application. You can begin to fill out your application and save it as you make progress.
Step Three: Submit any questions you have on the RFA here by June 17 at 12:00pm ET
Step Four: Submit your application by July 26 at 12:00pm ET

For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative WomenConnect Challenge