Bridging the Digital Gender Divide: Empowering Women Through Technology

Expanding Digital Access for All

In partnership with the 48 Percent Foundation, BOSCO Uganda has successfully implemented a transformative project to narrow the digital gender gap across northern Uganda. This initiative provided comprehensive digital literacy training, online safety education, and security awareness to women and elderly community members at four established ICT centers.

Reaching Communities Where They Are

The project delivered training at four strategic locations:

  • Pabbo ICT Centre
  • God’s Mercy ICT Centre in Purongo
  • Bardege ICT Centre in Gulu
  • Divine Mercy ICT Centre in Agago

Participants represented diverse backgrounds – businesswomen, teachers, students, farmers, and homemakers – ranging in age from 15 to 50 years. Many began with significant computer anxiety, with some visibly trembling when first approaching a keyboard or mouse. By the end of the training, this fear had transformed into confidence and competence.

Comprehensive Digital Skills Development

The training curriculum included:

  • Computer fundamentals and keyboard skills
  • Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
  • Internet navigation and information gathering
  • Email communication
  • Productive use of social media
  • Digital security fundamentals
  • Password management and phishing prevention
  • Secure online communication and browsing
  • Strategies to address cyber harassment and online gender-based violence

Success Stories That Inspire

The impact of this training extends far beyond technical skills, creating real economic opportunities and community transformation:

Adyero Nancy from God’s Mercy ICT Centre now confidently handles typing, photocopying, printing, and card design, enabling her to support her husband’s electronics business by providing these services to customers.

Acan Florence, a student from God’s Mercy ICT Centre, has significantly improved her academic performance through her newly acquired research skills, which are essential for Uganda’s research-based curriculum.

Apiyo Flavia secured employment at one of Gulu’s largest supermarkets thanks to the computer skills she gained through our training, opening new professional doors after completing her senior four exams.

Akello Jackline leveraged her computer training to qualify as a computerized track driver at a local farm, demonstrating how digital skills create diverse employment opportunities.

Community-Led Financial Empowerment

Perhaps most remarkably, women trained at God’s Mercy ICT Centre in Purongo and Divine Mercy ICT Centre in Patongo have independently established Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) groups. These groups meet weekly to save money, which is distributed annually to support various activities and business ventures. Between distributions, members can borrow with minimal interest, creating a sustainable community finance system.

The success of these VSLAs has attracted additional stakeholders. For example, the local agricultural office has provided specialized agricultural training to the women at God’s Mercy ICT Centre – a crucial intervention in a region where agriculture is the primary economic activity.

Our Partnership with 48 Percent Foundation

This project represents a successful collaboration between BOSCO Uganda and the 48 Percent Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Continuing the Journey

Help us continue bridging the digital gender divide in northern Uganda. Your support makes transformative digital training possible for more community members.