Executive Summary
The digital divide continues to exclude rural women from education, employment, financial services, and civic participation. Limited access to digital devices, low digital literacy, and socio-cultural barriers restrict women’s ability to benefit from the digital economy.
This project aims to equip rural women with essential digital skills to improve livelihoods, access services, and enhance social and economic empowerment. Over 24 months, the project will support 2,000 rural women through practical digital literacy, livelihood-linked skills training, and community-based digital support systems.
Problem Statement
Key challenges include:
- Low digital literacy among rural women
- Limited access to smartphones, internet, and digital services
- Barriers to online financial inclusion and e-governance
- Lack of digital skills for income generation
- Gender norms limiting women’s technology use
These barriers reinforce economic dependency and social exclusion.
Project Goal
To empower rural women by strengthening digital skills, access, and confidence for improved livelihoods and social inclusion.
Objectives
- Improve digital literacy and confidence among rural women
- Enhance access to digital financial and government services
- Support women’s income generation through digital tools
- Promote safe and responsible use of digital technologies
- Strengthen women’s participation in the digital economy
Target Beneficiaries
- Rural women aged 18–45
- Women from low-income and marginalized communities
- Women entrepreneurs and self-help group members
Direct Beneficiaries: 2,000 women
Indirect Beneficiaries: Families and community members (~8,000 people)
Project Area
Rural and semi-rural areas with:
- Low digital access and literacy
- Limited employment opportunities for women
Key Strategies and Activities
- Digital Literacy Training
- Basic smartphone and computer use
- Internet navigation, email, and messaging
- Use of local-language digital content
- Digital Financial Inclusion
- Mobile banking and digital payments
- Accessing government schemes and services
- Online safety and fraud prevention
- Livelihood-Linked Digital Skills
- Digital marketing for local products
- Use of e-commerce and social media platforms
- Basic data entry, online work, and services
- Community Digital Support Systems
- Establishment of digital learning centers
- Training local women as digital facilitators
- Peer learning and support groups
- Gender-Responsive and Safe Digital Use
- Awareness on cyber safety and digital rights
- Building confidence and leadership in technology use
- Engagement with families and community leaders
Gender and Social Inclusion
- Women-only training spaces
- Flexible schedules and childcare-friendly sessions
- Inclusion of marginalized and first-time technology users
- Use of local language and culturally appropriate tools
Expected Outcomes
- Increased digital literacy and confidence among women
- Improved access to financial and government services
- Enhanced income opportunities through digital tools
- Greater social participation and decision-making power
Key Outputs
- 2,000 rural women trained in digital skills
- Community digital centers established
- Women digital facilitators trained
- Livelihood-linked digital initiatives launched
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Baseline and endline digital skills assessments
- Tracking service usage and income outcomes
- Participant feedback and learning reviews
- Regular monitoring visits
Sustainability Strategy
- Community-managed digital centers
- Trained women facilitators sustaining learning
- Partnerships with government and private sector platforms
- Integration with women’s self-help groups
Budget Summary
Budget categories include:
- Training and materials
- Digital equipment and connectivity
- Personnel and facilitation
- Monitoring and administration
Conclusion
Digital skills are essential for women’s empowerment in today’s economy. By equipping rural women with practical, safe, and livelihood-oriented digital skills, this project bridges the digital divide and enables long-term economic and social transformation.
