Tata Communications and MasterCard announced a CGI commitment to cction to financially empower 25,000 women in the developing world, part of a larger vision to ultimately reach 100 million women.
The global telecommunications leader and the leader in global payments technology join forces with a unique network of partners including Brightstar Corp, Kiva, Tone, Trickle Up and the Hidary Foundation to bring their shared vision to life over the next five years through access to transformative mobile platforms comprising a range of financial, health and education applications and services.
''Three billion people will come online over the next decade primarily from the developing world. We now have our generation's greatest opportunity to unshackle women from endless cycles of poverty and dependency by providing them with access to information and economic opportunities,'' said Rangu Salgame, CEO, Growth Ventures Group, Tata Communications. ''With this program, Tata Communications and MasterCard are embarking on a journey to harness the long-term potential of the next 3 billion online.''
In developing countries, 200 million fewer women than men are online, and 300 million fewer women own a mobile phone. Yet, research also shows that the impact of empowering women financially is tremendous starting with their ability to raise the living standard of the entire household given that they are more likely to spend their income on establishing healthier and sustainable lifestyles for their families.
Shares of the company gained Rs 4.5, or 1.12%, to trade at Rs 405.55. The total volume of shares traded was 15,969 at the BSE (10.58 a.m., Wednesday).