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New York, NY, March 12, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), a five-year, $60.5 million investment to accelerate progress in closing the global gender digital divide, launches Accompanied by recording of remarks by Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announcing the recruitment.
Founded by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and first announced by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Accra, Ghana, in March 2023, WiDEF is a collection of proven solutions to close the gender digital divide. Start identifying, funding, and accelerating investment.
“The digital divide between men and women hinders development progress, permeates existing inequalities into the fabric of future societies, and creates a self-perpetuating cycle of further inequality. We need a future where we are empowered to participate as citizens in a digital world. We look forward to working together to achieve that vision. ” said Samantha Power, USAID administrator.
“We are proud to support the Women’s Digital Economy Fund. Overcoming the gender digital divide is essential to unlocking women’s potential in the digital age. By increasing women’s participation in digital technologies, Our aim is to transform our status from simply consumers to creators and leaders, and we are working to pave the way for a future where everyone benefits.” Anita Zaidi, chair of gender equality at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said:
The event, which brought together public, private sector, and civil society leaders from around the world, was an opportunity to celebrate the launch of this initiative and learn how WiDEF will realize its ambitious vision. Rachel Fogelstein, deputy director of the White House Gender Policy Council, represented the Biden-Harris Administration at today’s kickoff event.
Promoting access to digital technologies for all women and girls is essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This ensures everyone has access to economic opportunity, advancement, government services, education, and health care.
Approximately 1.5 billion women in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to online services. By 2022, there will be 259 million more men using the internet than women worldwide. This gap costs the global economy an estimated $1 trillion. Closing the digital gender divide would increase economic activity by an estimated $524 billion by 2025.
WiDEF is managed by consortium partners CARE, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP), and GSMA Foundation. The consortium will collaborate with industry-leading organizations and effectively engage local and global private sector stakeholders and funders to advance common efforts to close the gender digital divide. Masu.
“WiDEF aims to put millions of women at the center of connectivity and information programming. CARE will build on our strength in delivering locally-led, gender-centered programs in more than 100 countries. The consortium’s collective focus on technology, policy, and gender advocacy represents the largest-ever effort to build and sustain an Internet that works for the women who can benefit most from the Internet. It provides an opportunity.” Revi Sterling, WiDEF Technical Director and CARE Senior Technical Director for Digital Inclusion, said:
“The launch of WiDEF is certainly a special moment and reflects real commitment and determination to address the stubborn gender digital divide and unlock the potential of women in the digital economy. We are committed to digital inclusion, and we look forward to working with and advocating for women’s digital inclusion.”Global partners to advance this joint effort. ” GDIP Executive Director Sonia Jorge said:
“Bridging the gender digital divide has been at the heart of the GSMA Foundation’s work for more than a decade, and we are very proud to play an active role in steering the Women’s Digital Economy Fund. We look forward to receiving applications for the first round, as well as for two further rounds focused on the large private sector, with a particular focus on India, to be announced later this year.” Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, Head of Mobile Development at GSMA, said:
WiDEF Support and fund programs that promote digital access and affordability. Develop related products and tools. Provide digital literacy and skills training. Promote online safety and security. and invest in gender-disaggregated data and research. Wherever possible, we will support women-led gender transformation solutions, products and tools, and invest heavily to ensure that the voices and institutions closest to the gender digital divide are at the center of our efforts.
As part of today’s event, WiDEF announced its first call for applications, inviting local agencies around the world to apply to receive WiDEF funding and support. Application deadline is May 6, 2024.
In addition to funding from USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, funding has also been provided by Microsoft and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
For more information, please email contact@widef.global, visit us online at Widef.global, or follow WiDEF on social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X.
About care
Founded in 1945 with the creation of CARE Package®, CARE is the leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty worldwide. CARE has a special focus on working with women and girls. Equipped with the right resources, women and girls have the power to lift entire families and communities out of poverty. This year, CARE and partners worked in 109 countries, implementing 1,671 anti-poverty development and humanitarian assistance projects and initiatives, impacting 167 million people. For more information, please visit www.care.org.
About GDP
The Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP) is a coalition of public and private organizations working to provide internet connectivity to the majority of the world by 2030 and ensure that everyone is meaningfully connected. By enabling meaningful connections around the world, GDP advances digital opportunity, empowers and supports people’s lives and agency, and leads to an inclusive digital society.
GSMA Mobile Development Foundation
GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation, Inc. (“GSMA Foundation”) brings together mobile operators, innovators, governments and the international development community to advance the social, economic and climate benefits of mobile technology, primarily for the lower and middle classes. We are realizing the impact of -Income country. GSMA Foundation, with funding from donors and his GSMA, advances digital and financial inclusion with a focus on gender inclusivity, climate action, humanitarian response and investing in innovative digital solutions We are running a program to Since 2007, these programs have impacted the lives of more than 220 million people.
CONTACT: Michael de Vulpillieres CARE +1 929 944 1582 usa.media@care.org
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