Ooredoo Myanmar has stepped up efforts to use technology to empower women in the nation, launching a community group and a natal healthcare app.
Ooredoo and the GSMA have just concluded the Connected Women conference in Yangon, an event which aimed to explore ways Myanmar's technical revolution can benefit women. Discussions focused on health, education and entrepreneurship.
At the event, Ooredoo's start-up acclerator Ideabox launched the community group Geek Girls Myanmar, which will bring together female IT professionals, students and enthusiasts aiming to improve female participation in Myanmar's technology sector.
The operator also launched maymay, a healthcare app aimed at delivering access to pre and ante natal healthcare information and advice to women.
“We are passionate about working to help women overcome the barriers which prevent them from accessing technology, such as technological illiteracy, costs and cultural or gender practices,” Ooredoo Myanmar CEO Ross Comack said.
“We have a unique opportunity here in Myanmar to help address this issue early on in the country’s development.”
Ooredoo recently teamed up with the GSMA and the Clinton Global Initiative for a project aimed at tackling the mobile internet gender gap. The program will involve research in 12 markets including China, India and Indonesia, as well as technical projects.