100 million women and girls to actively join the digital economy within the next decade
4th March 2025, Barcelona: The EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and girls in the digital world with the launch of its new mission and vision today at MWC Barcelona. This strengthened commitment by the founding partners of EQUALS consisting of the International Telecommunication Union, the International Trade Centre, UN Women, UN University and the GSMA, sets an ambitious goal: achieving digital gender equality by 2035.
With the rapid evolution of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities to participate in and shape the digital economy is more critical than ever. The EQUALS Global Partnership - a coalition of international organizations, governments, corporations, academic institutions, non-profits, and community organizations worldwide - is intensifying efforts to bridge the gender digital divide.
Empowering Women and Girls Through Digital Innovation
To harness the potential of emerging digital trends, the new EQUALS vision firmly puts women and girls at the center of digital transformation, putting them at the centre of progress, participating, leading and innovating. By equipping them with digital skills, resources, and opportunities, EQUALS aims to empower 100 million women and girls within the next decade to become active contributors to the digital economy.
“As technology evolves faster than ever, successful digital transformation depends on women and girls being at the forefront of change,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “That’s why a renewed focus on empowering women innovators and policymakers is driving the new EQUALS Global Partnership.”
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, said: “The growth of AI and digital innovation presents unprecedented opportunities to build a more inclusive world. But without intentional action, women and girls risk being left behind. By reaffirming our mission, the EQUALS Global Partnership is ensuring that women and girls everywhere can fully participate in the digital economy, unlocking their potential and shaping the future of technology.”
A Global Call to Action
The partnership’s work will be structured around thematic workstreams, each operating on a two-year cycle, ensuring flexibility to adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities. EQUALS partners and members will continue advocating for policy changes, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, and launching targeted programmes to support women and girls in tech.
As part of its broader vision, EQUALS aligns its work with key global frameworks, including the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Global Digital Compact, and the Beijing +30 Review Process Outcomes, reinforcing its commitment to long-term, measurable impact.
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About GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to find out more at gsma.com
About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int
Media Contacts
GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com
ITU Press Service pressinfo@itu.int +41 22 730 5092
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