Connecting the Unconnected: Bridging the Digital Divide through Grassroot Initiatives in Sri Lanka and Women’s Empowerment in Nepal

NetMission Ambassador Blog Posts

The Digital Divide in Asia-Pacific: A Persistent Challenge

The Asia-Pacific digital landscape features metropolises like Tokyo and Singapore with world-leading connectivity alongside vast unconnected rural territories, affecting half of the region’s 4.3 billion people. This disparity represents the greatest obstacle to inclusive development across APAC. Sri Lanka exemplifies the rural-urban divide with 80.6% rural population and only 50.11% Internet penetration, compounded by widespread poverty. Nepal demonstrates how technology intersects with gender inequality, device ownership doesn’t translate to meaningful connectivity due to women’s limited digital literacy, cultural restrictions, and financial constraints.

Similar multidimensional barriers exist across Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Laos. As essential services increasingly move online, this digital divide threatens to deepen inequalities for the region’s most vulnerable populations.

Sri Lanka: Overcoming Digital Barriers in Rural Communities

Despite Sri Lanka’s progress in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), rural areas remain largely disconnected. With Internet penetration at 56.3% and 80.6% of the population living in rural areas, digital access remains a challenge. Additionally, 24.8% of Sri Lankans live below the poverty line, making Internet access unaffordable for many. These barriers limit opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and government services, widening socio-economic inequalities.

Recognizing these challenges, Sri Lanka has introduced various initiatives to bring connectivity to its rural population. ICTA Vision 2024 aims to expand digital infrastructure, establishing ICT hubs where communities can access online resources. The Digital Economy Strategy 2030 seeks to equip over a million rural entrepreneurs with digital tools, fostering sustainable economic growth. Meanwhile, the DIGIECON 2030 Program enhances digital literacy through community-driven training, ensuring people can navigate and benefit from the digital world.

One of the most successful grassroots initiatives is the Nenasala Telecenters, a network of over 800 community-based Internet hubs offering free access and training. In small villages where Internet penetration was once non-existent, these centers have become gateways to knowledge and opportunity, enabling students to study online and farmers to explore better market prices for their goods. These efforts have led to a remarkable increase in digital literacy, with rural Internet penetration reaching 56.3% in early 2024.

By aligning with global programs such as UNESCO’s Global Digital Literacy Program and the World Bank’s Digital Development Initiatives, Sri Lanka is integrating international best practices into its approach. However, to ensure long-term success, the country must continue expanding infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships to make Internet access more affordable and inclusive.

Nepal: Closing the Digital Gender Gap

Nepal faces significant challenges in digital connectivity, particularly concerning the gender divide in Internet access. Recent data indicates that 41% of women have Internet access, while 92% have used a mobile phone in the past three months. This disparity is influenced by socio-cultural, educational, and economic factors that limit women’s access to technology and opportunities. Without digital literacy, many women are excluded from opportunities in entrepreneurship, remote work, and online education.

In response, Nepal has launched several initiatives aimed at empowering women through technology. The Digital Financial Literacy for Women Farmers Program teaches rural women how to use mobile banking and e-commerce, enabling them to manage finances independently. The Women Digital Champions Initiative trains female leaders to promote digital literacy in their communities, creating a ripple effect of empowerment. Additionally, the ISOC Remote Village Internet Connectivity Project focuses on expanding Internet access to remote areas, ensuring that women and marginalized groups can benefit.

One inspiring success story is that of Sunita KC, a participant in the Women Digital Champions Initiative. Once unfamiliar with technology, Sunita now leads digital literacy sessions in her village, teaching women how to use the Internet for education and business. Such initiatives are proving that digital inclusion is not just about connectivity—it is about transforming lives.

These efforts align with global programs such as UNESCO’s Women in STEM Initiative and UN Women’s Digital Skills Initiative, which advocate for gender equality in technology. However, to close the gender gap further, Nepal must invest in expanding digital infrastructure in rural areas, increase funding for women-led digital initiatives, and challenge cultural norms through awareness campaigns.

The Path Forward: Building Bridges to a Connected Future

To advance digital inclusion across Asia-Pacific, Sri Lanka, and Nepal’s successful grassroots initiatives should be scaled up and integrated into national policies. Governments must expand digital infrastructure to remote communities through broadband expansion, mobile connectivity, and public Wi-Fi, making Internet access affordable and reliable.

Public-private partnerships are essential for providing financial support, technological expertise, and sustainable solutions. By uniting governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations, the deployment of digital services can accelerate. International organizations should contribute strategic guidance, funding mechanisms, and frameworks supporting regional digital equity.

Education campaigns must address cultural barriers limiting digital participation, with targeted programs improving digital literacy for women and marginalized groups. Comprehensive training should equip individuals with skills for navigating the digital world.

A multi-stakeholder approach – uniting governments, NGOs, tech firms, and local communities – is crucial for sustainable digital inclusion. By treating connectivity as a fundamental right rather than a privilege, the region can drive economic empowerment, social mobility, and prosperity for all.

Conclusion: A More Inclusive Digital Future

The Asia-Pacific digital divide prevents millions from accessing essential services, particularly affecting rural and marginalized communities. However, targeted solutions show promise: Sri Lanka’s rural digital programs connect underserved populations to educational and economic opportunities, while Nepal’s initiatives address gender inequality through women’s technical training. These examples demonstrate technology’s transformative potential when accessible. Closing this gap requires infrastructure investment, digital education, and collaborative efforts between governments, businesses, and civil society to create an inclusive digital future. 

Written by Kushagra Singh, Fatima Munir, Joysa Kaushik and Vinayak Bharadwaz (Reviewed by Nawal Munir Ahmad and Nattaya Jaratruangsaeng)

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