Leapfrogging to equality: Why brands must think ‘women-first’ when developing voice applications

Anjali Puri

Voice technology has the potential of breaking down many of the barriers women face, particularly in emerging markets, and brands that design voice applications that directly appeal to women can tap into a huge opportunity.

Two decades ago, mobile connectivity enabled underserved populations in emerging markets to leapfrog their way past the non-existent landline infrastructure. More recently, mCommerce has enabled financial inclusion for people in these markets. M-Pesa in Kenya revolutionised mobile payments a few years ago, enabling people to bypass traditional banking services altogether which were lacking in infrastructure. Communities that have been locked out of existing systems can very swiftly restore the balance when the right technology presents itself.

Missed opportunities for brands

Digital engagement is a meaningless concept if a disproportionate part of your target audience is not online. With women driving...

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