As societies become increasingly dependent on digital technology, women, their broader communities, and national economies are at risk of losing out on the positive promise of full participation in digital economies. There’s a digital gender divide. More women compared to men lack access and use of digital technologies: women globally are 12% less likely than men to use the Internet.
Through the #WomenInTech(WiT) Initiative – We Empower Vulnerable Women with Digital Skills for Entrepreneurship. We digitally equip mothers, women for entrepreneurial competitiveness.
Women in Tech is one of our projects encouraging the use of digital technologies and how to safely explore its different opportunities to boost small income generating businesses. We offer free simplified trainings to tech-novices in the following areas over a period of 5 weeks.
- Digital Technologies Basics and the practical opportunities it offers
- Using Social Media & Internet (eCommerce websites/apps) as a business enhancement too
- Digital Marketing and Branding
- Customers Engagement online
- Being safe online (Cybersecurity and safety for the family & business). Practical Tips
To enroll in the training program, beneficiaries are required to register with us and commit to completing the program to qualify for Certification and considerations for continual support in business development. We do routine interviews and documentation to help us understand how we can offer better support to each member of the women group beneficiaries.
The Shortcomings
- COVID-19: Income losses, negative coping mechanisms leading to starvation, child/women abuse in families, poor health conditions, etc
- POVERTY: starting small income-generating businesses challenging due to the already constrained economy & high rates of unemployment
- TECHNOLOGICAL GAP: The digital gender divide. Lack of access and use of digital technologies: women globally are 12% less likely than men to use the Internet.
- CYBER EXPLOITATION: Online Scams and Financial Frauds due to insufficient knowledge of ICT, cybercrime, and digital technologies like the internet
- PRECULTION: Income inequalities due to uneven access to ICTs and lack of financial independence. Women (mothers) still mostly rely on men for finance.
The Solution
Encourage the use of digital technologies and how to safely explore its different opportunities to boost small income-generating businesses
WiT
Initiative’s SDGs: What the solution addresses
- Foster innovation (Goal 9) through the significant access increase to information and communications technologies and strive to promote affordable access to the Internet in the least developed countries of Africa.
- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education on the use of digital technologies while promoting lifelong learning opportunities (Goal 4).
- Give women equal rights to economic resources in the male-dominated tech industry (Goal 5).
