Fast Facts
The Challenge
Girls are educationally marginalised in most countries. Yet the evidence shows that educating girls is one of the most effective ways to end poverty at the community level.
Our Role
Our role is to address the evidence gap to help decision makers understand how technology can be used to maximise learning outcomes for girls. Initiatives such as Digital Personalised Learning (DPL), Teacher Continuous Professional Development (TCPD), Data for Decisions, and Participation and Messaging can be viewed through the lens of girls’ education.
Our Goal
Our goal is to improve learning outcomes for girls. Girls are educationally marginalised in most countries, and technology can either exacerbate or reduce these inequalities depending on how it is used. When applied effectively, technology can help break down the barriers that prevent female students around the world from accessing and progressing in high-quality education. We draw on specific studies focused on girls and EdTech, and we apply a gender lens across all our work as a cross-cutting theme.
EdTech Hub’s Work
EdTech Hub focuses on understanding how technology can improve learning outcomes for girls and address educational inequities in low- and middle-income countries. Girls are educationally marginalised in many contexts, and the gender digital divide reflects differences in access, literacy, pedagogical approaches, and technology design.
Technology can either reinforce or reduce these gaps, depending on how it is implemented, and parents and caregivers often play a key role in shaping girls’ access. Our work captures evidence on how digital tools—from mobile and SMS-based solutions to edutainment and e-learning—can support girls’ learning, engagement, and skill development. We apply this lens across a broad portfolio of research, including projects on STEM and employment skills, gender differences in technology use at home, and emerging areas such as AI for education. Through this work, we provide practical, context-specific evidence to guide policymakers, implementers, and funders in designing interventions that strengthen learning opportunities and outcomes for girls.
EdTech for Girls’ Education in Southeast Asia
This Rapid Evidence Review provides an overview of the use of EdTech by and for girls in Southeast Asia. It summarises how EdTech is being applied, examines its effectiveness, and highlights the key benefits and challenges for girls’ education. The review covers the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Related Studies
Video: Using Technology to Improve Girls’ Learning
This webinar highlights key lessons from the Girls’ Education Challenge. Led by EdTech Hub, the study looked at what makes EdTech interventions work well and achieve successful outcomes. It also offers insights for improving future EdTech projects for marginalised girls.
All Resources on Girls’ Education and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions on EdTech for Girls’ Education
How can EdTech improve girls’ education in low- and middle-income countries?
EdTech can increase access to quality learning resources, provide flexible learning opportunities, and support personalized learning. For girls, it can help overcome barriers such as distance to school, safety concerns, and limited access to trained teachers.
What are the key challenges in implementing EdTech for girls?
Common challenges include limited access to devices or internet, cultural or gender norms that restrict girls’ use of technology, lack of teacher training, and insufficient support for maintaining and scaling interventions.
What makes an EdTech intervention successful for girls?
Successful interventions consider the local context, engage communities and families, ensure gender-sensitive content, train teachers effectively, and combine technology with other learning supports. Monitoring and adapting based on feedback also improves outcomes.
Evidence for Decision-Making
Explore our full publications library on Girls’ Education and Technology to support policy and practice.
