Digital technology is revolutionizing the world by providing access to information, finance, and networks. All of which are necessary for women to reach their full economic potential and create more self-reliant communities. Today, 1.7 billion women in low- and middle-income countries still do not own mobile phones. The internet user gender gap is more than 40 percent in some countries. The persistent gender digital divide is reinforcing, and even exacerbating, existing socioeconomic gaps between men and women.

Moreover, Advancing women’s digital connectivity is key to promoting their empowerment in an increasingly digital world. At the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick announced the second round of the WomenConnect Challenge under the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative. Further, W-GDP is a U.S. Government-wide effort to economically empower 50 million women in the developing world by 2025. Also, By investing in women, USAID is enabling countries to progress beyond assistance by unlocking human potential on a transformational scale. USAID will disburse approximately three grants globally. The period of performance for each award is up to 24 months

In Addition, the W-GDP WomenConnect Challenge seeks to bridge the gender digital divide so that women can fully participate in the global economy. Winning solutions will support the W-GDP’s three

Benefit

• Firstly, women Prospering in the Workforce: Increase women’s global labor force participation and advancement in the workplace by providing women with quality education, training, and support, so they can secure and thrive in well-paying jobs in their local economies.
• Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs: Increase the access of women entrepreneurs and business owners to financing, market opportunities, and training to establish and grow their businesses.
• Women Enabled in the Economy: Promote an enabling environment that increases women’s economic empowerment by reducing barriers and enhancing protections in policies, laws, also,  regulations, and practices (public and private) to facilitate women’s participation in the economy.

Application Process

• Step One: Download and read the Request for Applications (RFA) (you can find the RFA in the downloads section below)
• Step Two: Create an account through this website and begin your application
  You will need to remember your login information to access your application. Further, You can begin to fill out your application and save it as you make progress.
• Step Three: Submit any questions you have on the RFA by June 17 at 12:00 pm ET
• Step Four: Submit your application through this website by July 26 at 12:00 pm ET