With over 200 million Internet users in the country and growing, India is on its way to become the second largest Internet market in the world overtaking US. But only one third of India?s online users are women. Internet can play a very important role in empowering women in India and help them to transform their lives.
Google, in partnership with Intel, HUL and Axis Bank, has launched an initiative, which will focus on creating awareness about the benefits of Internet for women, educate women to use the Internet to improve their lives and work with partners to enable easy Internet access points for women in the country.
In the first stage of the initiative, Google will launch a mass media campaign targeted at women and promote the specially designed website www.hwgo.com which will host content covering the very basics of Internet and special content that is relevant for women in India, available both in Hindi and English. Women will also be able to call a toll free helpline number 1800 41 999 77 to get answers for any queries that they may have about the Internet.
Intel, HUL and Axis Bank will drive this initiative through the joint outreach efforts including Internet training in their digital literacy efforts. Intel is also launching a mobile app called ?Easy Step? for women which would be available on Android playstore.
