The WomenConnect Challenge is a global call for solutions to improve women’s participation in everyday life by meaningfully changing the ways women access and use technology. 

While most of the world is becoming increasingly connected, the gender gap in mobile internet use in some countries is over 51 percent. Advancing women’s digital connectivity is a key component to ensuring women’s economic empowerment.

To date, USAID has 16 WomenConnect Challenge grantees working to address barriers limiting women’s access to technology and to connect nearly 6 million women in 16 countries. WomenConnect Round One, awarded in 2018, awarded nine grants and WomenConnect Round Two, awarded three in 2019.

Due to USAID's continued commitment to closing the gender digital divide, a third round of the WomenConnect Challenge was announced in August 2020. This round focuses on scale, replicability, and private sector partnership and investment to support emerging technologies and policies. The four grants awarded in this round will focus on scaling proven strategies established by WomenConnect Challenge Rounds 1 and 2, such as addressing social norms, creating new ways for women to engage with technology, and leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence to address barriers to access and use.

USAID/Reliance Foundation and WomenConnect Challenge India grantees will highlight a deep commitment from USAID and the Reliance Foundation to close the gender digital divide in India through supporting local and culturally contextual innovative solutions.

The WomenConnect Challenge was created to inspire, uncover, and develop effective, culturally appropriate interventions that target the root causes of the gender digital divide. Learn more.