Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation, and the United Nations India Office have published a compilation of 17 great examples of work in India on each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Ideas, Innovation, Implementation: India’s Journey Towards the SDGs. The United Nations in September held its General Assembly. One of the key discussions was around the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030) and the countries are looking at how they have performed in their halfway mark for these goals. Implementing these ideas could hasten our journey to the SDGs, and provide a strong foundation on which a post-2030 agenda might build further.
Technology for Transformation: WomenConnect Challenge India’s Strides towards SDG 5
‘WomenConnect Challenge India (WCC India)’ is designed to help achieve gender equality by closing the gender digital divide. Its innovative approach involves strategic collaboration between Reliance Foundation, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and local organisations, leveraging expertise and resources to accelerate digital literacy towards the achievement of SDG5.
The programme employs five key strategies to empower women: challenging harmful social norms; creating economic opportunities; cultivating women’s self-confidence; investing in women-centric technology; and developing community advocates.
Generating a high impact in its first round in 2021-2022, WCC India has already reached over 300,000 beneficiaries, and its second round continues to strive for substantial positive change.
Driving Progress with Digital Literacy for Women and Girls
Globally, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), over 3.2 billion people use the internet on their mobile phones. While 84 per cent of women in LMICs own a mobile phone and 60 per cent use mobile internet, there is still inequality in mobile ownership and use. Women, particularly those with low literacy, low incomes, who live in rural areas or have disabilities, are less likely than men to have access to mobile phones and use mobile internet. Affordability, literacy and digital skills, as well as safety and security, are identified as the primary obstacles that hinder women across the globe from owning a mobile phone.
Closing the gender divide would help foster gender equality and empower women by granting them access to previously unattainable opportunities. By ensuring equal access to digital technology and the internet, women can enhance their digital literacy skills, broaden their knowledge, and avail opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurial activities. Consequently, this can contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and stimulating economic progress.
Empowered Women; Transformed Communities
The projects under WCC India focused on entrepreneurship, skill development, digital literacy tailored for users who have low literacy, edutainment-based courseware, mentoring, sports for development, and support for women working in agriculture through value-chain linkages. Awardees received support through symposiums to strengthen their programmes and a Community of Practice to foster collaboration and sustain a network of practitioners across India. A webinar series was also organised on topics such as technology ecosystem for India’s rural communities and online access to government schemes.
The importance of bridging the gender digital divide cannot be overstated. WCC India creates an ecosystem that empowers women by providing digital literacy training, which equips them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to improve their lives. This helps low-income women generate income, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to family and community growth. Using digital tools enables women to establish social connections, participate in online communities, share experiences, and build supportive networks. It also equips them with tools to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights and gender equality.
To read further, download the book now: https://reliancefoundation.org/sdgs_publication