The most common question asked by young people most especially young women and girls is how do I have timely and easy access to

Information and opportunities about Education, Job opportunity, Agriculture and Health?  The common answer is simple “Digital

Empowerment”. How can girls ensure that? #DigitalBalance4Better is a campaign by Girls Education Mission International that seeks to

enhance awareness, mobilize broad support and provide practical digital literacy as essential tool for further learning, empowerment and

civic engagement among young women ages 10 – 25 years. The tittle of the initiative is purposely a hashtag to maximize the vitality of the

awareness raising campaign.

BACKGROUND /PROBLEM /CHALLENGE

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) had much promises as empowering tools for young people to learn, thrive and grow.

Unfortunately, there is a distinct gender gap in the use of technology tools and resources. Recently World Pulse reveals that there are 200

million fewer women than men who can access the internet. Globally, women are 25% less likely than men to have digital skills” keeping

young women systematically underserved. Furthermore, experience shows that Girls have limited access to STEM Education.

 

One way of addressing this concern, is increasing digital literacy, curating digital content that helps sustain women and girls’ interest in digital

literacy, STEM, investing in economic empowerment, and creating social networks where young women and girls can feel safe and supported

online. The goal of the #DitalBalance4Better is to promote STEM Education among girls who have limited access to such training to increase

their ability to use technologies as well as social and emotional skills needed to safely navigate the digital tools in the world we live.

APPROACH /STRATEGY/SOLUTION

#DigitalBalance4Better is designed to incorporate three innovative component objectives:

1.       Combining a focus on digital education and literacy to help equip girls to participate in the digital economy and access higher-paid jobs.

2.       Empower girls with technology tools and resources to solve related issues affecting them.

3.       Providing social and emotional skills girls need to develop themselves personally and professionally.

 

LONG TERM IMPACT/ RESULT/ OUTCOME

Providing young women and girls with Digital skills, tool & resources will aid in creating an environment that promotes innovation,

creativity and livelihood.

#DigitalBalance4Better has the following goals:

1.       To train 370 Nigerian girls ages 10-25 annually on variety technology skills including, productivity tools, web design and other

digital skills.

2.       Provide mentorship through linkages and referrals for women to a safe and comfortable space to globally grow their voice,

networks and connections using

World Pulse tools including incorporating the World Pulse digital empowering contents into the existing digital program of Girls

Education Mission International.   

3.       To encourage dialogue, advocate, raise awareness and create space for scaling up successful policies and programs on access to

digital

tools and resources for women and girls.

 

TARGET GROUP/AUDIENCE

370 young women and girls ages 10 – 25 IN Nigeria are the primary (direct) beneficiaries of #DIgitalBalance4Better while their families, parents

will be the final (indirect)

beneficiaries. Other stakeholders include traditional, religious and community leaders who must grappled with social delinquencies affecting

youths in their respective localities.

 

PARTNERSHIP & SUPPORT

#DigitalBalance4Better is a big goal and a task that cannot be accomplish alone. Harnessing the perspective strength of partners is necessary

– be it in funding, expertise,

materials or others. Top of our needs are space for trainings, computers, software’s, and other technical support. We are looking forward to:

1.       Donors who will donate funds or the materials needed.

2.       Professionals in various technology skills who are willing to give their time, skills and expertise, energy to provide digital skills

training.

3.       Passionate & skillful volunteers who are willing to engage in the campaign promotional activities such as media outreach via

online spaces.

4.       Cooperate bodies – as schools, communities, organization, churches etc. who believe in our vision and willing to have us for

awareness and advocacy.

 

GETTING INVOLVED

Whether you represent a Government, School, Community, Public or Private institution, Media, Church, Organization or a Foundation, you

can join #DigitalBalance4Better to create a lasting investment in the lives of young women and girls.  

 #DigitalBlance4Better has so far impacted the lives of 56 young women and girls various technology workshops, Digital advocacy seminars.