Digital connectivity can promote women’s empowerment by improving access to information, economic opportunities, financial services, and flexible work options. Yet, a persistent gender gap in connectivity continues to shape women’s lives in the Global South. Women face barriers ranging from limited device ownership and digital skills to restrictive gender norms and safety concerns.
So, how can these barriers be reduced? And what are the impactful drivers of women’s meaningful empowerment?
To address these questions, the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Digital Connectivity Initiative (WEE-Connect) — funded by the Gates Foundation and located at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) – launched its second Request for Proposals (RFP 2) in December 2024.
The call received 80 submissions from across South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh led with 25 submissions, followed by Nigeria (12), India (8), Uganda (6), and Kenya (6). After a rigorous multi-stage review process, 15 proposals advanced to the board for final consideration. Ultimately, four studies were selected for funding, and two studies were selected for incubation by the WEE-Connect team.
Together, these studies will investigate different pathways through which digital connectivity may support women’s empowerment — ranging from the potential of AI tools in low-connectivity contexts, to the role of digital platforms in creating employment opportunities, to the long-term impacts of digital skills training, and the integration of digital tools into community health systems.
Associated Investigators: Philip Roessler (College of William & Mary), Shreya Bhattacharya (William & Mary), Constantine Manda (University of California, Irvine), Julieth Julius Tibanywana (University of Cape Town)
Country: Tanzania
Partners: Viamo Tanzania
Description: This RCT will test whether a voice-based generative AI assistant (Ask Viamo Anything) delivered via basic mobile phones can reduce barriers to critical health and economic information for women who lack internet connectivity or advanced digital skills. This study presents one of the first experimental tests of how generative AI can be responsibly scaled in low-connectivity environments to support women’s empowerment.
Associated Investigators: Dean Yang (University of Michigan), Robertson Khataza (LUANAR, Malawi), David McKenzie (World Bank), Sunny Lee (Independent), Teng Liu (University of California, Santa Cruz)
Country: Multi-country across Sub-Saharan Africa
Partners: Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Online jobs platform (name withheld)
Description: This RCT will assess whether training, mentoring, and data-driven insights can improve labor market outcomes for young African freelancers. The study will provide the first rigorous evidence on how to enable African women to translate digital connectivity into global freelancing opportunities.
Associated Investigators: Narayan Das (BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD)), Sakib Mahmood (BIGD), Md. Kamruzzaman (BIGD), Nuzaira Binte Neaz (BIGD), Mohima Gomes (BIGD)
Country: Bangladesh
Partners: CodersTrust Bangladesh
Description: This mixed-methods study evaluates the long-term impact of the Women’s Skills Development for Freelancing Marketplaces (WSDFM) program, which offers mentorship and training to underprivileged women. As one of the first long-term assessments of digital skill development programs for women in South Asia, including a cost-benefit analysis, the study will provide evidence on whether digital skills training is a scalable solution for women’s empowerment in Bangladesh.
Associated Investigators: Keshet Ronen (University of Washington), John Kinuthia (Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya), Jennifer Unger (Women & Infants Hospital, Brown University)
Country: Kenya
Partners: Kenya Ministry of Health; Kisumu County Department of Health; Community Health Workers (via eCHIS platform)
Description: This study will build on the ongoing CHV-NEO trial in Kisumu County, Kenya to evaluate whether digital engagement improves maternal and newborn health outcomes. Additionally, the study will identify which groups of women and community health workers most benefit from digital engagement and the financial implications of scaling these interventions.
The four awards under WEE-Connect RFP 2 reflect diverse approaches to a shared goal: understanding how digital connectivity can empower women across different contexts. By evaluating the impacts of AI, digital employment, digital skills training, and digital engagement embedded in community health systems, these studies will generate evidence to guide inclusive strategies and inform policy.
Through rigorous and collaborative research, these studies will ultimately help answer a core question of the WEE-Connect Initiative: How can digital connectivity move beyond access to truly transform women’s lives?
