JIMS8M: The Journal of Indian Management & Strategy

In the last decade, mobile phones have penetrated the Globe at an unprecedented rate. The rate of adoption of mobile phones all over the world has been remarkably fast, and not gradual as in all the nations. This adoption is not uniform across all sections of the society worldwide. According to GSMA 2015 data more than 1.7 billion females in lower income countries are without mobile phones, 14% of woman on an average are less likely to own a mobile than their male counterparts, 300 million are unconnected women in Sub Saharan countries. With a population of over 1.3 billion and a gender gap of 36%, India has an estimated 114 million fewer women than men owning a mobile phone. India is the second largest telecom market globally and growing rapidly. Yet, with a unique subscriber penetration of 36%, the market is still largely unconnected. The gender gap in ownership is high: an estimated 28% of women versus 43% of men own a mobile. Mobile usage is basic 2G and only 9% of all connections are 3G. The article focuses on the reasons behind gender gap in mobile phone ownership, usage and accessibility. Study tries to explore the need to connect the unconnected and the advantages of their being connected to society as a whole. Researcher has articulated the role of various stakeholders to make women as a resource in the development process of the society. (Manzar, 2017, Nov 24)