For me, Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with friends and Twitter helps me keep up to date on the latest news.  And sometimes people complain that I’m on my Blackberry too much.  But for girls around the world, it seems that information technology can offer girls and young women new pathways to empowerment.

One of the most important tools in this technology revolution are mobile phones, as they are much more available than the internet in many countries.  Mobile phones can be used,

  • As an educational platform: for example, a cell phone app that will help you learn math
  • As a tool for health: systems exist that can remind HIV positive individuals to take their medications, or allow you to check that your medications are not counterfeit.
  • As an income: where landlines are unavailable or expensive, entrepreneurs can charge people in the community to make calls on their phone
  • To deal with crises: mobile and online platforms exist for people to report from emergency situations, making it easier for response teams to know where to go.  As well, special online services can help to reunite people that became separated during a crisis.

A recent study on the influence of mobile phones on the status of women in India shows that “mobile phones significantly decrease both men and women’s tolerance for domestic violence, [and] increase women’s autonomy in mobility and economic independence.”  The paper goes on to say in some cases, access to mobile phones are equivalent to more than 5 extra years of education!  They recommend that “the Government of India and those of other countries should consider mobile phones as a policy instrument for empowering women.”

(Photo Credit: Oracio Alvarado)