How Facebook’s Internet.org is Advancing Women’s Rights in Zambia
In a landmark move for digital equality, Facebook’s Internet.org initiative is providing Zambian women with free access to critical women’s rights information - regardless of their ability to pay for mobile data.
Bridging the Information Gap
The program, launched in partnership with Zambian carrier Airtel and local governments, offers free connectivity to essential resources through:
- MAMA (Mobile Alliance For Maternal Action): Vital health information for expectant and new mothers
- WRAPP (Women’s Rights App): Legal rights education and protection resources
- UNICEF’s Facts For Life: Practical guidance on pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare
“Women’s access to technology - and their ability to use it to drive change - is critical to gender equality,” emphasizes Musimbi Kanyoro, President and CEO of Global Fund for Women.
How the Technology Works
The Internet.org platform delivers information through multiple channels:
- Standalone Android app
- Dedicated tab in Facebook for Android
- Mobile website accessible on feature phones
Beyond women’s rights resources, the service also provides free access to:
- Wikipedia
- Google Search
- Local information on weather, jobs, and government services
The Ripple Effect of Digital Empowerment
Former US Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer notes: “Through Internet.org, women in Zambia will have greater access to vital information to improve their lives and their children’s lives.”
The initiative represents a significant step toward digital inclusion, with potential to:
- Educate women about their legal rights (including education rights under Zambia’s Education Act of 2011)
- Provide access to support services like The National Legal Aid Clinic For Women
- Create pathways for social and economic advancement
Challenges on the Horizon
While Zambia’s government supports the project, expansion may face obstacles in regions with:
- Institutionalized gender discrimination
- History of internet censorship
- Opposition to women’s empowerment initiatives
Facebook has previously encountered censorship in countries like Syria, Iran, and China over “moral concerns” regarding content. The company must balance:
- Maintaining platform accessibility
- Advocating for information freedom
- Navigating complex political landscapes
A Vision for Global Connectivity
Mark Zuckerberg’s founding principle for Internet.org remains clear: “I believe connectivity is a human right.” As Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka of UN Women states, this technology has power to “empower countless women to make a positive impact on their societies.”
While digital empowerment may create temporary societal tensions (as seen during the Arab Spring), access to knowledge ultimately moves us toward a more just and equitable global community.
