Ecosystem landscaping of the global digital gender divide

• Aug 4, 2025
• 1 min

We conducted a global landscaping study to identify key barriers and investment opportunities for closing the gender digital divide and advancing women’s digital inclusion.

MSC conducted this study to understand the barriers that sustain the gender digital divide. Through extensive research and stakeholder consultations, MSC mapped over 100 public and private sector interventions and synthesized insights from 160+ publications. The study included deep dives in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal to uncover six key barriers and 33 sub-barriers to women’s digital access. 

MSC provided actionable recommendations to help the Gates Foundation prioritize investments, shape its digital connectivity strategy, and identify high-impact opportunities to sustainably bridge the digital divide for women and girls worldwide.

The Gates Foundation commissioned the project.