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Enhancing the Digital Ecosystem and Digital Skills for the economic empowerment of women in LDCs

Project No 7GLO20106
Title Enhancing the Digital Ecosystem and Digital Skills for the economic empowerment of women in LDCs
Description

This project aimed at mainstreaming a gender perspective in domestic policies to ensure that women participate fully in the digital economy and increase the productive capacity of working-age women through economic and professional opportunities by strengthening their digital skills and connecting them with digital and professional markets. It targets to reduce the digital gender gap in identified Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
In each selected country, this project enabled local women to benefit from the digital avenues for development. In close cooperation with the EQUALS Global Partnership, the project worked with key public and private stakeholders to address systemic issues that prevented women from accessing and use digital technologies and being the drivers of positive change that they can be.
The project was implemented in collaboration with the relevant ministries in charge of education, ICTs, employment, women and trade, private sector partners, with a countrywide network of institutional and other sector partners of the digital world.
Area of Action Digital Inclusion
Least Developed Countries & SIDS
Status Implemented
Time Frame From 1/7/2020 To 29/9/2023
Beneficiary Countries Burundi, Ethiopia, Haiti
Implementing Agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Cooperation Agency Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Financial Scale (CHF) More than 1'000'000
Achievements
The project impacted women by fostering robust and vibrant networking communities that transcends geographical boundaries. At the local level, the project activities facilitated strong connections among participants, exemplified by the strengthened network of Ethiopian women in the textiles and apparel sector. Additionally, intercountry networks were developed through regional and international events and trade fairs, particularly benefiting women entrepreneurs in the Textiles and Apparel industries in Burundi and Ethiopia.
Furthermore, the project's emphasis on community building resulted in the creation and enhancement of participant communities, fostering an organic mentoring environment that complemented the formal mentoring framework. This dynamic approach to mentoring proved crucial, particularly during the challenges posed by COVID-19, as it instilled self-reliance and resilience among women entrepreneurs, enabling them to navigate through and thrive in the post-pandemic landscape.
Finally, through targeted training, women gained invaluable knowledge and honed skills in technology, harnessing these tools to drive entrepreneurial success. The project's role in cultivating a supportive network resulted in inspiring women to amplify their influence and contribute meaningfully to their communities. As a result, these empowered women have emerged not only as skilled entrepreneurs but also as advocates for gender equality, utilizing their enhanced visibility to advocate for progressive policies that foster a more inclusive digital economy.

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