EQUALS Global Partnership
EQUALS Global Partnership is a Geneva-based non-profit coalition hosted by ITU that unites 100+ partners (UN agencies, companies, governments, academia, NGOs) to bridge the digital gender divide through advocacy, research, capacity-building programs, and the EQUALS in Tech Awards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What EQUALS Global Partnership does
EQUALS Global Partnership is a Geneva-based, multi-stakeholder non-profit coalition founded in 2014 and hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with 11-50 employees and over 100 partner organizations spanning UN agencies, private companies, governments, academic institutions, NGOs, and civil society. Its mission is to bridge the digital gender divide through five action coalitions: Access, Skills, Leadership in Technology, Leadership in SMEs, and Research. The founding partners are ITU, UN Women, GSMA, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and United Nations University (UNU), with supporting partners including EY and W4.
The coalition delivers its mission through a portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include the EQUALS in Tech Awards (annual recognition across five categories, with 256 nominations from 67 countries in 2026), the Talking Tech interview series, the Digital Skills Hub, Her Digital Skills, the eSKILLS4Girls Fund, HDS Workshops, Leadership Webinars, and a research library that includes the Gender Inclusivity Index, biennial Research Reports (2019, 2025), the Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender in Digital Policies (available in six languages), and sex-disaggregated ICT data analyses (notably for Africa). Distribution occurs through partner networks, the equalsintech.org website, social media, and convening at flagship venues such as Mobile World Congress, the Commission on the Status of Women, and WSIS.
The organization does not sell products or services and has no disclosed revenue, pricing, or independent ownership structure. Operating budgets are effectively funded through ITU hosting and voluntary partner contributions, with copyright held by ITU. There are no APIs, SDKs, mobile applications, patents, or proprietary technology assets; the entity's value sits in its coalition breadth, institutional backing, and research/advocacy outputs rather than in any commercial technology product.
EQUALS Global Partnership firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EQUALS Global Partnership
- Legal name
- EQUALS Global Partnership
- Website
- https://equalsintech.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EQUALS Global Partnership is a Geneva-based non-profit coalition hosted by ITU that unites 100+ partners (UN agencies, companies, governments, academia, NGOs) to bridge the digital gender divide through advocacy, research, capacity-building programs, and the EQUALS in Tech Awards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EQUALS Global Partnership industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Inclusive Trade (Gender, Youth, Marginalized Groups) (BPADAMAM), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ)
Keywords
Where EQUALS Global Partnership is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geneva
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
EQUALS Global Partnership business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
EQUALS Global Partnership product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EQUALS Global Partnership is a multi-stakeholder coalition that delivers advocacy, research, and capacity-building programs to bridge the digital gender divide. The partnership operates through five action coalitions—Access, Skills, Leadership in Technology, Leadership in SMEs, and Research—via the EQUALS in Tech Awards, digital skills training and workshops, the eSKILLS4GIRLS Fund, the Gender Inclusivity Index, and the Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender in Digital Policies. The coalition is hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is co-led by ITU, UN Women, GSMA, the International Trade Centre, and United Nations University.
Product overview
EQUALS Global Partnership is a multi-stakeholder coalition (not a technology product company) comprising international organizations, private companies, governments, academic institutions, nonprofits, and civil society united to bridge the digital gender divide. Rather than offering a unified software platform, the partnership operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives: the EQUALS in Tech Awards recognizes excellence in gender digital equality; Talking Tech and Leadership Webinars provide content and learning resources; the Digital Skills Hub and Her Digital Skills offer programmatic platforms; the eSKILLS4GIRLS Fund provides funding; and the Research Coalition produces publications including the biennial Research Reports and Gender Inclusivity Index. Together, these offerings form an advocacy, research, and capacity-building ecosystem rather than a commercial product architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EQUALS in Tech Awards: Annual awards program recognizing outstanding leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in closing the gender digital divide across five categories: Access, Skills, Leadership in Technology, Leadership in SMEs, and Research.
- Talking Tech
- Digital Skills Hub
- eSkills4Girls Fund
- Gender Equitable Investment in Tech
- Her Digital Skills
- HDS Workshops
Products and services
- EQUALS in Tech Awards Annual awards service that recognizes organizations and individuals demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in closing the gender digital divide, with winners selected from nominations across multiple countries and announced at Mobile World Congress.
- Digital Skills Hub Digital skills resource and training platform providing content and programs to develop digital skills among women and girls, serving program beneficiaries and partner organizations implementing EQUALS initiatives.
- Her Digital Skills Capacity-building initiative focused on advancing digital skills among women and girls, with activities including International Girls in ICT Day celebrations and AI-focused workshops delivered through partner organizations.
- HDS Workshops Hands-on digital skills workshop series designed to engage and train girls and young women in technology, including AI-focused sessions delivered under the Her Digital Skills umbrella.
- eSKILLS4GIRLS Fund Grant-funding service that channels financial support to programs delivering digital skills training and education for girls in technology.
- Gender Equitable Investment in Tech Initiative service that promotes gender-equitable investment practices in the technology sector, engaging investors, technology companies, and partner organizations.
- Leadership Webinars Educational webinar series delivering leadership development sessions for women and girls in the technology sector.
- Talking Tech Interview series amplifying women tech role models through structured conversations in which girls and young women in technology interview established women leaders and professionals.
- EQUALS Research Reports and Gender Inclusivity Index Research publication service producing the biennial EQUALS Research Report (2019, 2025), the EQUALS Gender Inclusivity Index, and the EQUALS ICT SDD in Africa analysis, establishing the evidence base for digital gender equality work.
- Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender in Digital Policies Policy-guidance handbook for policymakers on mainstreaming gender in digital policy making, including an actionable checklist and available in six languages through ITU.
Quantifiable outcome
- EQUALS in Tech Awards 2026 received 256 nominations from 67 countries, demonstrating global reach
Companies that use EQUALS Global Partnership
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
EQUALS Global Partnership technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
EQUALS Global Partnership partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered founding, supporting and core.
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)foundingOne of the five founding partners of EQUALS Global Partnership. ITU is a UN specialized agency for telecommunications and hosts the EQUALS Secretariat. Provides organizational infrastructure, global reach through ITU's membership of 193 countries, and technical expertise in telecommunications and digital development.
- UN WomenfoundingOne of the five founding partners of EQUALS Global Partnership. As the UN entity for gender equality and women's empowerment, UN Women provides expertise on gender equality issues and connections to global gender advocacy networks.
- GSMAfoundingOne of the five founding partners of EQUALS Global Partnership. The GSMA represents mobile operators worldwide and contributes expertise on mobile technology, connectivity, and industry initiatives for gender inclusion in the mobile ecosystem.
- International Trade Centre (ITC)foundingOne of the five founding partners of EQUALS Global Partnership. ITC, a UN agency, provides expertise on trade, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment of women in developing countries.
- United Nations University (UNU)foundingOne of the five founding partners of EQUALS Global Partnership. UNU contributes academic research capabilities and connections to the global university network.
- EYsupportingSupporting partner that contributed to the development of the EQUALS Gender Inclusivity Index, providing consulting expertise and industry insights on gender transformation in business.
- W4 (Women's World Wide Web)supportingSupporting partner and contributor to the EQUALS Gender Inclusivity Index. W4 is a women's empowerment organization focused on digital inclusion.
- African Development Bank GroupcoreLead partner in the EQUALS ICT Sex-Disaggregated Data (SDD) in Africa analysis, contributing financial resources and regional expertise on Africa's digital development.
- Research ICT AfricacoreLead partner in the EQUALS ICT SDD in Africa analysis, providing research expertise and data analysis capabilities on ICT access and usage in Africa.
- Data2XcoreLead partner in the EQUALS ICT SDD in Africa analysis, contributing expertise on gender data and statistical analysis frameworks.
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)coreLed the development of the EQUALS Research Report 2025 through its Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy. Provided editorial leadership with Professor Moon Choi as chair of the editorial board.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EQUALS Global Partnership competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU): The UN specialized agency for ICTs and the host of the EQUALS Secretariat. Comparable because ITU runs its own gender and digital-inclusion programs (e.g., Girls in ICT Day), overlapping with EQUALS's mandate in policy advocacy and capacity-building.
- UN Women: UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Comparable as both an EQUALS founding partner and a larger organization running overlapping digital-inclusion and STEM-for-girls programming with global reach.
- OECD Digital Economy and Gender Initiative: OECD workstream producing evidence and policy recommendations on gender equality in the digital economy. Comparable to EQUALS as an evidence-driven policy influencer for governments on digital gender inclusion, with similar research outputs.
Emerging players
- Digital Rights Foundation: NGO focused on digital rights, internet freedoms, and women's digital safety. Comparable to EQUALS for its explicit gender-and-technology intersection and policy advocacy focus, though more regionally focused on South Asia.
- Women in Tech Global: Global non-profit network promoting women in technology through mentorship, education, and advocacy. Comparable in mission (women's participation in tech) and events-driven engagement model, though more grassroots and less UN-affiliated than EQUALS.
Direct peers
- Association for Progressive Communications (APC): International membership organization focused on digital rights, internet governance, and gender digital inclusion. Comparable to EQUALS as a multi-stakeholder coalition of civil society, researchers, and policy advocates working at the intersection of ICTs and gender.
- Data2X: Global initiative improving the production and use of gender data, including a partnership with EQUALS on sex-disaggregated ICT data in Africa. Comparable as a research-and-advocacy platform targeting the same evidence gaps EQUALS addresses.
- Web Foundation — Women's Rights Online: Web Foundation initiative working to close the gender digital divide through research, advocacy, and policy engagement. Comparable to EQUALS in producing primary research on women's internet access and targeting policymakers and internet governance forums.
- Plan International — Digital Inclusion Programs: Global NGO with significant programming on girls' digital inclusion, online safety, and STEM education. Comparable to EQUALS in targeting girls and young women with skills training and policy advocacy, though operating as a direct service provider rather than coalition.
- GSMA Connected Women: GSMA's flagship gender-inclusion initiative addressing the mobile industry gender gap. Directly comparable because GSMA is both an EQUALS founding partner and operates an overlapping program targeting women's mobile access and digital skills, serving similar MNO and policymaker audiences.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
EQUALS Global Partnership social profiles
Digital presenceEQUALS Global Partnership financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EQUALS Global Partnership leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
EQUALS Global Partnership funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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EQUALS Global Partnership M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about EQUALS Global Partnership
What does EQUALS Global Partnership do?
EQUALS Global Partnership is a multi-stakeholder coalition that delivers advocacy, research, and capacity-building programs to bridge the digital gender divide. The partnership operates through five action coalitions—Access, Skills, Leadership in Technology, Leadership in SMEs, and Research—via the EQUALS in Tech Awards, digital skills training and workshops, the eSKILLS4GIRLS Fund, the Gender Inclusivity Index, and the Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender in Digital Policies. The coalition is hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is co-led by ITU, UN Women, GSMA, the International Trade Centre, and United Nations University.
Is EQUALS Global Partnership a public or private company?
EQUALS Global Partnership is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was EQUALS Global Partnership founded?
EQUALS Global Partnership was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EQUALS Global Partnership based?
EQUALS Global Partnership is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
Who are EQUALS Global Partnership's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Women and OECD Digital Economy and Gender Initiative. Emerging players are Digital Rights Foundation and Women in Tech Global. Direct peers are Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Data2X, Web Foundation — Women's Rights Online, Plan International — Digital Inclusion Programs and GSMA Connected Women.
Does EQUALS Global Partnership have an API?
No public API is recorded for EQUALS Global Partnership.
What industry is EQUALS Global Partnership in?
EQUALS Global Partnership's product category is Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAF, Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, with a secondary code of BPADAMAM, Inclusive Trade (Gender, Youth, Marginalized Groups). Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8600.