In the rapidly evolving digital world, access to technology is considered one of the key drivers of social and economic development. However, millions of women, especially in developing economies, remain excluded from the digital revolution, which limits their potential to fully participate in modern economic and social systems. During a powerful session at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, addressed this pressing issue, urging a broader perspective on digital inclusion.
The session, titled “When Women are Connected,” gathered experts and thought leaders to discuss the gender digital divide and its implications. Aamir Ibrahim was joined by Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom; Jamie Zimmerman, Deputy Director of Digital Connectivity at the Gates Foundation; and Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at GSMA, who moderated the discussion. The panel explored the concept of digital equity and how achieving meaningful inclusion for women requires more than just access to technology.
Aamir Ibrahim challenged the audience to rethink the way we view digital inclusion. He emphasized that simply recognizing the existence of the gender digital divide is not enough to create change. Real progress, he said, requires intentional action, sustained commitment, and the ability to execute impactful solutions that go beyond access to digital tools. Ibrahim explained that while access to mobile phones and the internet is essential, it is equally important to ensure that women are empowered through digital technology in ways that enable their advancement, both socially and financially.
Aamir’s perspective focuses on the need to provide women not just access, but also agency—meaning the power to control their digital lives and benefit from the opportunities that digital tools offer. In many societies, men continue to act as gatekeepers to women’s access to technology. This cultural barrier, coupled with issues such as digital safety and financial independence, reinforces the existing inequalities. According to Aamir, it is crucial for digital initiatives to empower women by providing them with tools for financial security, digital literacy, and safety online, so they can engage meaningfully in the digital economy.
To address these challenges, Aamir urged policymakers and tech industry leaders to prioritize the creation of platforms that are not only secure but also designed specifically with women’s needs in mind. This would ensure that digital access does not merely serve as a token gesture but is translated into real-world opportunities for empowerment and participation in the digital economy.
The importance of this issue is underscored by alarming statistics from the OECD, which show that 327 million fewer women than men have access to smartphones and mobile internet globally. In Pakistan, the situation is even more complex. A report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 revealed that women face numerous barriers to digital participation, including high costs of devices, limited access to financial resources, safety concerns, and cultural restrictions. These factors contribute to a persistent gender gap in digital inclusion, hindering women’s ability to utilize the opportunities that digital technologies present.
In light of these challenges, Aamir Ibrahim called for a more holistic approach to digital inclusion—one that not only provides access to devices and connectivity but also addresses the root causes of digital exclusion, such as societal norms and economic barriers. Empowering women in the digital age, he said, is essential for fostering a more equitable and prosperous future.
This call for change comes at a critical time as the global digital economy continues to grow, and women’s full participation in this growth is essential for achieving true equality. As companies like Jazz continue to push for more inclusive digital solutions, the hope is that more women will be able to harness the power of technology to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.