The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) has
announced the launch of its second competitive round, inviting applications
from large private sector enterprises seeking technical support to scale proven
solutions that advance the digital inclusion of women. This round aims to
provide tailored technical assistance to help unlock opportunities to
significantly close the gender digital divide.
WiDEF, a joint effort between USAID and the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, managed by CARE, Global Digital Inclusion
Partnership, and the GSMA Foundation, seeks to accelerate progress on closing
the gender digital divide. This round of support follows the first round of
funding and support that closed on May 6th, 2024, for local organizations.
The technical assistance on offer includes research
into the principal barriers and needs of underserved segments of women,
evaluation of existing products and services, testing specific approaches and
services, product adaptation and iteration, and business modeling and support
for scaling products and services. Successful applicants will receive tailored
technical assistance for up to two years, valued between $50,000 to $150,000
USD.
Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, Head of Mobile for
Development at GSMA, stressed the importance of technical assistance in
unlocking impact at scale. "Through this new round, we believe we can
deepen the private sector's contribution to closing the gender divide across
low- and middle-income countries," he said.
WiDEF's initiative aims to address the gender digital
divide, which is a significant barrier to women's economic empowerment and
social inclusion. By providing technical assistance to private sector
enterprises, WiDEF seeks to increase women's access to and usage of the
internet, ultimately contributing to a more equitable digital economy.
Applications for this round of technical assistance
are now open, and eligible private sector enterprises are encouraged to apply.
WiDEF's support has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of
women in low- and middle-income countries, and this initiative is a crucial
step towards achieving that goal.
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
