How do they use their phones?
Women use their phones to stay connected, manage financial transactions, consume entertainment, express themselves, and access information for everyday needs. Patterns of use are shaped by relevance, familiarity, and the constraints of their social and material contexts.
Mobile Ownership (DHS-8 2023)
92%Smartphone Ownership
84%Uses Mobile for Financial Transactions
82%
Reach and Connection
Uses the phone for calls and messaging, mostly through WhatsApp, to stay connected with family, friends, and customers.
Entertainment and Stress Relief
Primarily consumes content that circulates within existing networks. May stay updated through WhatsApp Status and TikTok, and consume entertainment shared via Xender. Engagement is largely passive.
Learning and Growth
Learning is largely passive and shaped by shared and downloaded content, often centred on religion or relationship advice. While information may not be actively sought, engaging with posts on social media may influence algorithms to surface related material over time.
Transactions and Financial Security
Uses the Wave app for sending and receiving payments and may require facilitation for certain transactions.
Self Promotion and Expression
Takes photos but typically shares them within close circles. Social media use may be cautious and selective, using WhatsApp to source products and status updates for personal or business purposes within known networks.
Tracking
Does not typically engage in financial or health tracking on digital devices.
How do they get access to their phones?
Access to phones is often mediated through family and social networks, with devices acquired, shared, or supported through these relationships. Patterns of ownership, control, and continuity vary across geographies and reflect broader gendered and economic conditions.
Is in the Top 40% by Household Wealth Nationally
67%Has Year Long Employment or Livelihood Activity
42%
Access to Device and Consumables
May have had early access to a basic phone, but more commonly gained independent access to a smartphone in adulthood.
Typically uses a mid-range Android smartphone with limited storage and moderate reliability. Devices are often provided by husbands or partners, or acquired as hand-me-downs when others upgrade. Replacement may be delayed until the device is beyond repair. Some may save independently over time to purchase a device if needed.
Often relies on her husband or family members for data and maintenance costs. May access Wi-Fi through shared household or neighbour networks, though continuity depends on the stability of those arrangements.
How do they learn how to use their phones?
Women build digital capability over time through a combination of early exposure, literacy, and support from others. Facilitators, such as family members, peers, or intermediaries often play a role in shaping how skills are developed and how confidence is built.
Can Read Full Sentences
29%Cannot Read at All
57%
Base Capabilities
Limited early exposure through family or school, combined with limited formal education, enable comfort only in basic phone use.
Learning Style
Prefers guided instruction for new tasks and learns well from clear, repeated demonstrations. Once shown, she is generally able to retain knowledge and repeat familiar routines independently.
Learning Needs
May still be transitioning from feature phone use and require ongoing facilitation for smartphone functions. She can typically manage frequently used apps such as WhatsApp and TikTok independently, while relying on others for more advanced functions. May need support with app setup, downloading and managing media, financial transactions, and troubleshooting technical issues.
Facilitators
Relies primarily on trusted circles such as spouses, children, or family members for facilitation. May turn to community members or professional agents when necessary.
What are the challenges they navigate?
Women navigate interruptions in access, limitations in resources, and a range of digital risks. Their use of phones is shaped by social expectations and relationship dynamics, which influence when, how, and how freely they are able to stay connected.
Has Internalised Domestic Violence
18%Participates in Household Decision Making
48%Household has Electricity
95%
Disruptions caused by Financial Shocks, Damage, Degradation and Loss
Disruptions may be experienced acutely, though resolution often depends on family or personal finances and may take time. She may attempt repairs before replacement and adapt by borrowing or sharing devices, limiting use to essential communication during these gaps.
Managing Recurring Costs (data, airtime etc.)
Actively manages data use and may have occasional access to shared Wi-Fi. Data depletion can cause short but frequent disruptions to communication and learning. These interruptions may extend when she depends on others to purchase data.
Charging Cycles
Typically has home access to electricity, though recurring short interruptions may occur due to outages or battery degradation associated with second-hand devices. May manage usage carefully during these periods.
Norms, Control and Coercion
Sensitive to normative expectations and may self-regulate by keeping engagement mostly passive - viewing rather than posting - and limiting participation to trusted WhatsApp groups. May avoid apps perceived as inappropriate in order to minimise social risk.
Perception of Risk
Aware of scams and may have experienced them. May fear reputational harm in addition to financial loss.
Response to Digital Risk
Remains cautious in online spaces and may limit her digital footprint to reduce exposure to gossip or misinterpretation. Confidence in navigating risks may vary, leading her to engage selectively rather than withdraw entirely. May avoid posting in open forums, while remaining active within trusted groups. When encountering suspicious activity, she may seek support from trusted others.