At an event where the “next big thing” is always centre stage, this year’s Mobile World Congress saw UNICEF asking a different kind of question: Who’s being left behind? While tech leaders unveiled the latest in AI, 5G, and autonomous innovation, UNICEF was there to shift the spotlight—towards the children and communities who stand to gain […]
At an event where the “next big thing” is always centre stage, this year’s Mobile World Congress saw UNICEF asking a different kind of question: Who’s being left behind?
While tech leaders unveiled the latest in AI, 5G, and autonomous innovation, UNICEF was there to shift the spotlight—towards the children and communities who stand to gain the most from digital progress, but who are too often excluded.
The United Nations agency’s presence at MWC was purposeful: to highlight the staggering reality that 90% of adolescent girls in low-income countries remain offline. Their goal? To challenge the mobile industry to help bridge this digital divide.
“From supply chains to product development, it’s critical that businesses consider the safety and well-being of children,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s director of private fundraising and partnerships.
“Especially now, when digital innovation can transform girls’ lives by unlocking access to education, jobs, and leadership.”
The gender gap in digital access is stark. In low-income countries, adolescent girls are 20% less likely than boys to own a smartphone, and 50% less likely to access the internet.
The consequences ripple far beyond individual lives. When large segments of the population—especially young people—are excluded from digital and economic opportunities, they can’t fully participate in or contribute to the workforce, which, over time, slows GDP growth.
According to UNICEF, the exclusion of girls in low-income countries has already cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion in GDP over the past decade—a figure projected to rise to $1.5 trillion by the end of 2025 if left unaddressed.
“We’re in a race against the clock,” Mardini said, referring to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a global agenda established by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the planet by 2030.
“With just a few years left, and major setbacks from the pandemic and ongoing global conflicts, working with the private sector has shifted from being helpful to absolutely essential.”
UNICEF’s message to the tech industry went beyond calls for corporate social responsibility. The agency urged companies to fundamentally rethink their business models—embedding child-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches at the heart of their innovation strategies.
“Whether it’s through technology, supply chains or investments, private sector partnerships can make a huge difference,” Mardini said. “We need companies to see this not just as impact, but also as smart business.”
Backing this up, UNICEF cited a World Bank report showing that every $1 invested in girls’ education and empowerment generates a $10 return. These investments, the agency stressed, don’t just uplift communities—they fuel innovation, grow talent pipelines, and help develop confident, creative women who will shape tomorrow’s workforce.
Still, barriers persist around the world. Even in high-income countries, only about 25% of girls pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies. Women make up just 6% of software developers globally.
“Girls aren’t just consumers of tech—they’re half of the future workforce,” Mardini added. “If they’re excluded, we all lose.”
At MWC, UNICEF spotlighted three inspiring youth advocates driving change in their communities.
Brittany Loor, from Ecuador, is leading ethical tech activism through her metaverse platform and AI research on Indigenous communities. Leen Al Zoughbi, a Palestinian student and founder of “Nova Gen”, is breaking barriers for girls in STEM by providing free coding education and inspiring peers worldwide. Meanwhile, Jemima Kasongo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has mobilised youth through U-Report and environmental campaigns, empowering thousands to act.
A roadmap for change
To help close the digital gap, UNICEF has outlined a four-pronged roadmap.
The first step is to expand access to affordable devices and connectivity, working with mobile operators, governments, and NGOs. Tackling affordability and infrastructure gaps is essential to achieving genuine inclusion.
Equally important is the need to make digital spaces safer. Over 60% of adolescent girls report experiencing online harassment, with many feeling unsafe or unwelcome. UNICEF is calling on tech companies to strengthen protections and ensure platforms are safe spaces for girls to learn, connect, and thrive.
Digital literacy is another core pillar of the plan. UNICEF is advocating for greater investment in programmes that equip girls with future-ready skills—ranging from AI and coding to financial literacy—specifically tailored to the realities of low-income contexts.
Design also plays a key role. “70% of tech products fail to meet the needs of marginalised groups because they weren’t designed with inclusion in mind,” said Mardini.
UNICEF is urging companies to co-create tools and services with girls, ensuring their voices directly shape product development and digital policy.
Without targeted action, Mardini warns, the digital divide will only grow—deepening existing inequalities.
“Now, we face a choice: let technology widen the gap, or harness its power to build a safer, more equitable and prosperous future for all,” she said.
UNICEF’s appeal to the mobile industry is both clear and urgent: expand access, champion inclusive design, and invest in the tools and role models girls need to thrive.
“Time is running out,” Mardini added. “But with the right partnerships, and the right intentions, we can still turn this around.”
