• by Aaron Baar , October 1, 2013

Intel Corp. noted earlier this year that women in developing countries lag far behind their male counterparts when it comes to digital literacy skills, and has launched a new initiative that looks to narrow the gap.

The company’s “She Will Connect” program will begin this year in Africa, working with global and local NGOs and government organizations with the aim of reaching 5 million women on the continent and reducing the gender gap by half. 

Earlier this year, Intel released a report, “Women and the Web,” which revealed the Internet gender gap in the developing world and showed the social and economic benefits of securing Internet access for women in those areas. “She Will Connect” is an attempt to act upon those findings, says Renee Wittemyer, director of social impact for Intel.

“We put out a call [in that report] to double the number of women online in developing countries,” Wittemyer tells Marketing Daily.

“She Will Connect” will work on two fronts. The first will be through an online gaming platform for smartphones and tablets which will help increase digital literacy skills.

“Typically, in developing countries you learn technology in a shared environment [such as an Internet cafe],” Wittemyer says. “We’re going to complement that by developing a game that can be used through mobile devices.”

The company will also work with World Pulse to integrate the latter’s digital training into existing digital networks to create a supportive peer network for women to learn. “When women connect to other women, they find social support and resources,” Wittemyer says. 

In addition to the program in Africa (where the report found the most need), Intel will continue its work in India to reach one million women through the company’s Easy Steps digital literacy training program in the next year. In Latin America, the company is also partnering with governments and organizations to provide digital literacy training (focusing on entrepreneurial skills) in Colombia, Mexico and Peru. 

“Our teams in Latin America are excited to integrate [these programs] into their work,” Wittemyer says.