Basic ICT skill development training for grassroots women and girls

Since 2016 Our programme has continued to make an enormous contribution to formal education and community access to information.  We have built community library center which serve as an information gateway, supporting hundreds of women, girls, preschool children and other vulnerable youth groups and community members to understand their environment better, to acquire new skills and to make more informed decisions about their lives. Since the open of the library services, a total of 2, 555 community members have accessed library services. Traditionally, a community library might meet user’s information needs by acquiring, organizing and making available relevant information resources through manual or hardcopies. For any community library to perform well and meet the needs of the users in modern times, it is necessary for the community library to embrace the use of information and communication technology (ICT).

This year we are implementing a programme of providing electronic information sources through access to information technology and skills for target women, girls and other vulnerable youths of the target grassroots communities in Addis Ababa and Oromia of Ethiopia. The ongoing ICT training programme intends to reach 75 women, Girls or other vulnerable youth in both targeted programme communities.

In addition to commitment to the prevention of COVID-19 at target grassroots communities, currently our NLK/ Blue Lupin Libraries library is serving users particularly women, children, girls, youths and other vulnerable groups with free computers and Wi-Fi access with the help of technology skills development. The lack of enough computers and IT skills have caused challenges for the project in providing users of both genders with access to library services. Information Technology creates new opportunities for these productive groups to advance their social, economic, health and political rights, attend school remotely, increase enrollment, and decrease rates of dropouts. It will enable all to involve in their local and national development processes actively and productively particularly during this time of isolation and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, 10 target girls has successfully completed the training in the respective community, and second round for more other 10 trainees is ongoing in the respective community.  The objective of this training is chiefly to enable target grassroots productive women and girls and others able community members to use the internet and digital technology as a means of communication and raise their voices with peers and members in their communities, country and globally.   Moreover, we want to support the target productive women, girls, and other vulnerable priority populations at the grassroots finding resources and standing in solidarity with their community during the times of isolation and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Safe and accessible digital spaces are important in supporting vulnerable women, girls and others by enabling them to support each other online, feel loved, heard and have access to awareness about HIV&AIDS and COVID-19 preventions. Our ongoing digital skills training topics for the target women, girls and other MARPS include: Introduction to Computer; Operate personal computer; Access and Use internet and English Language skill in Listening; Speaking; Reading and Writing. Each trainee is required to complete 120 hours to successfully complete the training.