Education is the single most powerful tool we have for unlocking economic opportunity and building a foundation for a successful future. Technology plays an increasingly critical role in that equation, improving options for and the quality of education for millions around the world.

Expanding technology access is a crucial early step in the process, especially for underserved populations, including girls and women. Connecting to technology can mean connecting to a wealth of financial, health, and education resources able to dramatically expand opportunities and improve lives.

The educational benefits made possible by technology can be powerful no matter if a person wishes to learn how to speak English, increase crop yield, or become an entrepreneur. When working in concert, education and technology can be truly transformative, breaking the cycle of generational poverty and driving catalytic change across the planet.

Internet access not available to allToday, there are an estimated 2.4 billion Internet users across the globe. Those lucky enough to have access to the Internet have been able to explore a new world of political participation and social inclusion, increase productivity and income generation, and gain access to resources, information, and services. As a result, those with access have been able to more fully contribute to the economic prosperity of their families, communities, and countries.

Unfortunately, the benefits of the Internet have not reached everyone. Access remains unevenly dispersed. While there is still work to be done in overcoming obstacles to access in developed countries, studies show that developing countries in particular are lagging behind.

Girls and women at risk

Notably left behind are girls and women. According to the “Women and the Web” report published by Intel, Dalberg Global Development Advisors, and GlobeScan, on average across the developing world, nearly 25 percent fewer women than men—upward of 200 million by some estimates—have access to the Internet. The gender gap soars to nearly 45 percent in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.1

Even in rapidly growing economies the difference is enormous. Nearly 35 percent fewer women than men in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa enjoy Internet access, and about 30 percent fewer in parts of Europe and across Central Asia.

Internet access: a global sample 1,2

Internet access differs dramatically around the world. Below is a sampling of the access figures for a cross-section of countries.

India 12%

Uganda 14%

Egypt 44%

Mexico 38%

Singapore 74%

U.S. 81%

Japan 79%

South Korea 84%

The United Kingdom 87%

The Netherlands 93%

Iceland 96%

Harnessing technology to expand access and fuel empowerment worldwide

ConneCting people to their potential

The technology difference

Research indicates that economic opportunities for women are limited by lack of access to technology.3 This results in fewer avenues for women to reach their full potential and a loss of significant economic and social contributions for their families, communities, and countries.

“Women and the Web” found that bringing another 600 million women online could, in addition to a range of important social benefits, contribute an estimated $13 to $18 billion to the annual gross domestic product across 144 developing countries.1

The importance of educational access

We know that nations with educated populations are more likely to build stronger economies, develop innovative solutions to social challenges, and advance their country in ways that positively impact the world.

The obstacles to ensuring education for all are many. A range of socioeconomic, institutional, community, family, cultural, and individual factors can work to prevent children from attending school.

Economic and social benefitsToday, 66 million girls are not in school who could be.11 Research shows that girls with an education are more likely to delay marriage and childbearing, and less likely to become infected with HIV. They also have a greater chance of growing into women who earn higher wages and participate more actively in civic life.12

Educating girls also has an important multiplier effect—expanding economic opportunities for families, communities, and nations. When 10 percent more girls go to school, a country’s GDP can increase by 3 percent.9 A recent study by the World Bank found that closing the gender gap in education would substantially increase national economic growth and well-being. According to UNESCO, universal secondary education for girls in sub-Saharan Africa alone could also save as many as 1.8 million lives annually.13

• Only 30% of all girls are enrolled in secondary school. (US Movement, 2013)5

• In 2008, 17.3 million girls in sub-Saharan Africa did not attend school. (World Bank, 2011)4

• Globally, more males are completing primary school than females. (World Bank, 2011)4

• The gender gap in literacy is 5.1%. (World Bank, 2011)4

• About two-thirds of the 796 million illiterate adults are women. (World Bank, 2011)4

• Girls with eight years of education are 4 times less likely to be married as children. (ICRW, 2006)6

• The number one cause of death for girls 15–19 is childbirth. (World Health Organization, 2012)7

• A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five. (UNESCO, 2011)8

• When 10% more girls go to school, a country’s GDP can increase by 3%. (Council on Foreign Relations, 2004)9

• Each year of secondary schooling increases a girl’s future wages by 10‒20%. (Council on Foreign Relations, 2004)9

• Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school. (UNICEF, 2005)10

The Internet gender gap

Developing world – 25% fewer women sub-Saharan Africa – 43% fewer women South Asia – 35% fewer women Middle East – 35% fewer women North Africa – 35% fewer women Europe (parts of) – 30% fewer women Central Asia – 30% fewer women Note that figures are approximate1

the power of educatIng a gIrl

Intel® she wIll connectIn response to the Internet gender gap, Intel created the Intel® She Will Connect program. The initiative:

• Aims to connect 5 million women in sub-Saharan Africa by 2016

• Seeks to reduce the gap by 50% in the region

• Could generate an estimated additional $13 to $18 billion in GDP across developing countries1

• Could unleash a market of new platform sales and network access amounting to an estimated $50 to $70 billion1

Watch the video at intel.com/women.

The gender gap in STEMEven in countries where girls are in school, there is another critical gap that needs to be addressed. While more girls and women are using technology than ever before, relatively few are playing a role in creating this technology or choosing to study science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects critical to technology and engineering careers. For example, in the U.S., only 18 percent of computer science undergraduate degrees are earned by women.14

In addition, the explosion in interest in maker-related activities and focus on the Internet of Things—the networked connection of people, processes, data, and things—is rapidly opening up new opportunities. But here again, girls and women are largely absent.

The Intel commitment to empowering people through education and technology accessIntel believes that education and Internet access are fundamental rights for everyone. Through a collection of programs and partnerships (see a list at the end of this brief), we are working to help underserved populations bridge the divides by enabling education and technology access.

This commitment includes empowering millions of girls and women around the world by closing the gender gap in education, inspiring more girls and women to become creators of technology, and connecting girls and women to opportunity through technology.

Advancing digital literacy and empowermentAs part of that mission to expand technology access, Intel launched the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network (ICCN) in 1993. Undertaken in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, the Computer Clubhouse mission is to offer a creative and safe out-of-school learning environment where young people from underserved communities work with adult mentors to expand opportunities through the use of technology. The global program provides more than 25,000 young people per year access to digital resources, skills, and experiences.

Empowering girls and women to become technology creators Intel has worked for decades to improve education globally, investing more than $1 billion in the past decade alone, and continuing to invest at a rate of approximately $100 million a year. This includes the efforts to provide hands-on training and exposure to STEM careers for girls and young women. The Intel Foundation provides approximately $1.5 million annually for scholarships, sponsorships, and hands-on training.

In addition to integrating gender considerations into our STEM education programs, Intel and the Intel Foundation also invest in a number of girl-focused STEM programs and partnerships, including Girls Who Code, the National Center for Women & Information Technology AspireIT programs, as well as support for all-girls robotics teams and girl-focused maker programs.

Ashoka The Intel Foundation is working with Ashoka to sponsor eight Ashoka Fellows who are using technology to solve social challenges faced by women. The fellows are working on social entrepreneurship programs in Brazil, India, Turkey, the U.S., Nigeria, Ireland, and Kenya on topics such as expanding banking access and mobile banking, connecting rural farmers to e-commerce opportunities, expanding technology skills for students through coding and hackathons, and expanding the number of women in technology and STEM careers. Learn more at ashoka.org.

Girl RisingIntel’s role as a strategic founding partner on the Girl Rising film and social action campaign helped to engage millions of people around the world to learn about and take action on this global campaign for girls’ education. Released in March 2013, Girl Rising has been seen by millions of people through more than 9,000 screenings and the television broadcast on CNN and CNN International. Intel helped bring the film to leading policy forums such as the World Bank, UNESCO, and the U.S. State Department, and shared it with students, local community groups, and customers in more than 30 countries. Learn more at girlrising.com.

Girls Who CodeWith support from Intel and other partners, Girls Who Code seeks to reach gender parity in computing fields, providing computer science education and exposure to 1 million young women by 2020. Organizers believe this is paramount to ensure the economic prosperity of women, families, and communities across the globe, and to equip citizens with the 21st century tools for innovation and social change. More girls exposed to computer science at a young age will lead to more women working in the technology and engineering fields. Learn more at girlswhocode.com.

Half the SkyIntel is engaged with the Half the Sky Movement, which leverages film, social media, and gaming to drive social change on gender equality and the importance of educating and empowering girls. In 2013, Intel supported the development and launch of the Facebook game Half the Sky Movement: The Game, which has engaged more than 1 million players to learn about the barriers girls and women face. Learn more at halftheskymovement.org.

Intel Computer Clubhouse NetworkThis after-school, community-based learning program enables youth in underserved areas to access cutting-edge technology and become self-confident, motivated learners and leaders. The network is based on a learning model created by Boston’s Museum of Science in collaboration with MIT Media Lab. Intel joined as the lead sponsor in 2000 and has invested more than $35 million in the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network (ICCN). The network has more than 100 clubhouses in 20 countries, which provide more than 25,000 youth access to technology. Learn more at intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/computer-clubhouse-network.html.

Intel® Learn Designed especially for young learners in developing countries, the Intel® Learn Program extends learning beyond the classroom with an engaging, project-centered approach. It is an informal education program that teaches youth the skills they need to succeed in our increasingly knowledge-based economy, with a focus on technology literacy, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. Learn more at intel.com/education/learn.

Intel® Learn Easy Steps The Intel® Learn Easy Steps program teaches basic digital literacy, a key 21st century skill, enabling enhanced social and economic self-sufficiency. Course content is practical, relevant, and based on adult learning research. Its simple instructional approach teaches youth and adults to find, summarize, evaluate, create, and communicate information using computing devices. Intel provides the content free of charge to governments and NGOs around the world, who then manage local implementation. Participants acquire skills that are locally appropriate, and that support multiple hardware and software solutions. Learn more at intel.com/education/easysteps.

good for socIety, good for busInessInvesting in the empowerment of today’s underserved populations, including girls and women, is not only the right thing to do, it is also critical for our long-term business success. To grow and thrive, we have a vested interest in expanding the talent pipeline and creating educated consumers in new markets.

In the meantime, every day that we fail to respond, we risk losing more individuals to the ravages of unemployment, poverty, hunger, and despair. Through new thinking and new skills, enabled by technology, Intel aims to help ensure education and technology access for the greatest number to achieve the greatest impact.

Intel technology access and empowerment programs and partnerships

Intel Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach ProgramIntel sponsors the Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program (ORTOP), a team-oriented robotics competition for children between the ages of 9 and 14. Each year, the teams are given a scientific problem to solve. With the help of their coaches, they research their solution and present it to the judges. Each team also builds a robot out of LEGOs* that must perform a series of tasks that support the theme. ORTOP is affiliated with FIRST LEGO* League (FLL), an international organization dedicated to “sports for the mind.” As part of its sponsorship, Intel funds scholarships for teams who cannot pay the materials fees. Learn more at intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/intel-oregon-robotics-tournament-article.html.

Intel® She Will ConnectThis Intel initiative commits to expanding digital literacy skills for young women in developing countries. Intel is beginning the effort in Africa, where the gender gap is the greatest, concentrating on Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to start. The goal of the program is to connect 5 million additional women to the Internet and reduce the gender gap by 50 percent. To get there, Intel is working with a diverse set of partners, including global and local NGOs and governments. Learn more at intel.com/women.

Intel® Start Making! As part of the Maker Education Initiative, Intel piloted this program in conjunction with the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network to introduce middle school girls to the basics of circuits, coding, and making. Based on the pilot’s success, the program will expand to additional locations in the future. Learn more at maker.intel.com.

National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) AspireIT programThe Intel Foundation is supporting NCWIT’s AspireIT program to encourage middle school girls to learn about computing by engaging with mentors from high school and college. Inspired by the desire of young women in computing to pay it forward, AspireIT aims to employ a near-peer approach that provides middle school girls with a positive, sustained experience of learning and computing alongside their high school and college mentors. Learn more at ncwit.org/project/aspireit-middle-school-outreach-program.

World PulseTo empower women through technology, Intel is collaborating with World Pulse, a network that uses the power of digital media to connect women worldwide and provide them a global voice. Today, nearly 60,000 women and allies from more than 190 countries are changing their lives by connecting through World Pulse, including those using Internet cafes and cell phones in their rural villages to communicate with urban metropolises. Learn more at worldpulse.org.

1. “Percentage of Individuals using the Internet 2000-2012.” International Telecommunications Union (Geneva), June 2013.

2. “Women and the Web: Bridging the Internet gap and creating new global opportunities in low- and middle-income countries.” Intel Corporation, Dalberg Global Development Advisors, GlobeScan, 2013.

3. Malhotra, A., Schulte, J., Patel, P., and Petesch, P. “Innovation for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality.” International Center for Research on Women, 2009.

4. The EdStats newsletter, The World Bank Education Statistics Newsletter, Volume V, Issue 1, August 2011.

5. “Day of the Girl,” US Movement, October 11, 2013.

6. Mensch, Barbara S., Singh, Susheela, and Casterline, John B.” International Center for Research on Women, 2006. “Too Young to Wed: Education and Action Toward Ending Child Marriage,” 2006. “Trends in the Timing of First Marriage Among Men and Women in the Developing World,” Cynthia B. Lloyd, Jere R. Behrman, Nelly P. Stromquist, and Barney Cohen (eds.). “The Changing Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries: Selected Studies,” (pp. 118–171). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

7. World Health Organization, “Adolescent Pregnancy Factsheet,” 2012. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs364/en/.

8. UNESCO. “Education Counts: Toward the Millennium Development Goals,” 2011.

9. Council on Foreign Relations, 2004.

10. UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/mdg/index_genderequality.htm and United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report, 2005. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mi/pdf/mdg%20book.pdf.

11. UNESCO, Education for All Global Monitoring Report, 2012.

12. ICRW, “Preparing Girls and Women for 21st Century Success: Intel® Teach Findings.”

13. UNESCO, Education for All Global Monitoring Report, 2011.

14. American Society for Engineering Education, 2012.

Copyright © 2015, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Programs of the Intel® Education Initiative are funded by the Intel Foundation and Intel Corporation.

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Intel technology access and empowerment programs and partnerships

Learn more at: intel.com/innovate/tech-access.