{"id":405,"date":"2020-09-22T12:13:52","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T09:13:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zoomemorialfoundation.org\/news\/?p=405"},"modified":"2024-01-24T17:16:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T14:16:05","slug":"how-computer-training-in-women-only-spaces-is-tackling-the-digital-gender-divide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoomemorialfoundation.org\/news\/how-computer-training-in-women-only-spaces-is-tackling-the-digital-gender-divide\/","title":{"rendered":"How computer training in women-only spaces is tackling the digital-gender divide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Zoe Willis<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

S<\/span>witching on a computer is empowerment. Learning how to use the internet creates confidence. Training in computer coding could be life-changing. But for many women and girls across the world, these opportunities are out of reach because of the digital-gender divide. The divide is the product of social, cultural and economic factors affecting women and men\u2019s access to information and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to the digital world is increasingly vital and ZOO Memorial Foundation, a small non-profit in Kenya, is working to address this divide. Narrowing the gap will bring social and economic benefits not only to women and girls but also to the local and wider communities they live in. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is a danger that the divide will become even more pronounced. Women and girls could suffer as business and social contact are fully relegated to the digital sphere, and without access, many will find themselves isolated and unable to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does the divide exist?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In some communities, it is harder for women and girls to become computer literate than for men and boys. There are many reasons for this including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduced access to education,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lack of confidence<\/strong> to interact with technology,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stereotypes<\/strong> of this being a \u201cmasculine\u201d activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In societies with a strong patriarchal structure<\/strong>, this view discourages women and girls from engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This causes a lack of confidence as girls and women do not gain the necessary skills to engage with technology and in turn cannot pass on knowledge and encouragement to the younger generation. The impact of the digital-gender divide means that women can\u2019t contribute fully to or innovate in economies which rely increasingly on technology and the internet to develop and grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combatting the digital-gender divide<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The ZOO Memorial Foundation, in partnership with Women in Sustainable Enterprise (WISE), is equipping women in disadvantaged communities with skills and technology to combat the increasing digital-gender divide due to COVID-19. The not-for-profit organisation empowers communities and schools by bringing the power of digital technology through open access to equipment, skills, and opportunities. Women make up 70% of adult users. ZOO Memorial Foundation encourages women by providing them with inclusive environments in which to learn and develop digital skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WISE organisation near Lake Victoria received digital equipment and training from the ZOO Memorial Foundation, benefitting from a women-only environment which allowed their confidence to grow. The training highlighted opportunities presented through digital literacy by teaching coding and web design skills. ZOO\u2019s courses involve each stage of learning how to use digital technology, from switching on a monitor to using the internet. This knowledge that many take for granted is the foundation on which women can innovate and support themselves and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n