ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the size and consequences of the digital gender gap in terms of meaningful connectivity to the internet. The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) defines meaningful connectivity (MC) on the basis of the connection speed, device functionality, data allowances, and frequency of use of a user’s internet connection. By using this multi-dimensional approach to measuring internet access, A4AI arrives at a deeper and granular understanding of the connectivity gaps that keep people—especially women—from harnessing the full potential of the internet. We present survey results from nine countries where A4AI estimated levels of meaningful connectivity disaggregated by gender that would not have been visible if a binary measure for internet connectivity would have been used to assess levels of internet access. Beyond infrastructure, we also argue that contextual factors, such as socio-cultural and economic barriers, disproportionately prevent women (and other marginalized groups) from benefitting from a meaningful internet connection.
