The GSMA, which represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry, and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, a charity that supports women entrepreneurs published 'Women and Mobile: A Global Opportunity'. The details of the report were reported by Forbes in this article.

Some of the interesting findings from the report include:

-- There are 300 million fewer female subscribers than male subscribers worldwide

-- A woman is 21% less likely to own a phone than a man in low and middle-income countries - 23% in Africa, 24% in the Middle East, and 37% in South Asia

-- 93% of women report feeling safer because of their mobile phone

-- 85% of women report feeling more independent because of their mobile phone

-- 41% of women report having increased income and professional opportunities once they own a phone

Cherie Blair, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women:

"Every woman, wherever she lives, needs a mobile phone. That's the simple but fundamental message at the heart of this report. Women can use this vital tool to help unlock real prospects for themselves, their families and their communities. By being better connected, women feel safer, find employment, start businesses, access banks, learn about market prices and altogether benefit socially and economically. "Women and Mobile" is a seminal report that should be read by all who care about the life chances of women."