Achieving women’s equality can promote global prosperity. Yet, with the rise of new technologies and the dependence on connectivity, the gender digital divide has introduced a new obstacle that is impeding progress in advancing women’s empowerment. Despite the increase in development efforts to bring more women online, the divide remains significant, with the International Telecommunication Union reporting 259 million fewer women having access to the Internet than men.

Over the past six years, Digital Frontiers has supported the U.S. government in its commitment to promote digital inclusion and close the gender digital divide. Together with USAID’s Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GenDev) Hub, Digital Frontiers has sought to establish a blueprint for the future of gender and ICT programming at the agency.