The Museum of Digital Society: A Living Archive of Digital Inclusion
“DEF’s innovative digital skills program empowered 500 women and disabled beneficiaries across 14 states, bridging the digital divide and transforming lives through functional digital literacy and digital financial literacy.”
Digital Empowerment Foundation embarked on a transformative journey to empower marginalised communities in 14 states across India. Their mission was to bridge the digital divide by providing training to 500 women and persons with disabilities through a comprehensive 30-day program.
This initiative stood out due to its innovative blended approach, combining in-person and online methods. This unique strategy aimed to not only teach digital skills but also to foster a sense of connection with the digital world, thus creating opportunities for participants to augment their earnings through positive digital engagement.
The program was meticulously designed, consisting of five modules that covered functional digital literacy and digital financial literacy. These modules equipped participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the digital age. For many of them, this training was a gateway to better employment prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Among the 500 beneficiaries, 210 were persons with disabilities, and 320 were women, all of whom were now armed with newfound digital prowess.
Participants not only gained the ability to navigate the digital landscape effectively but also learned how to make informed decisions about their livelihoods and expand their clientele through digital means. This newfound connectivity opened doors to a world of opportunities, and the trainees were quick to seize them.
The program’s success was further amplified by the introduction of a Telegram-based Skill Bot, developed by DEF, which allowed participants to engage in self-learning. This innovative approach received overwhelming praise from the trainees across all 14 states. The Skill Bot became a virtual guide, helping them build their digital skills at their own pace, anytime and anywhere.
The impact of DEF’s program went beyond just acquiring digital skills; it instilled hope and transformed lives. Marginalised individuals who once had limited access to digital resources were now equipped with the tools to not only improve their own livelihoods but also contribute to the growth of their communities.
The participants expressed their heartfelt gratitude to DEF and Commonwealth of Learning for providing them with this opportunity. They had not only gained digital literacy skills but also a newfound confidence in their ability to navigate the digital world. DEF’s commitment to digital empowerment had sowed the seeds of transformation, and the beneficiaries were ready to reap the rewards, forever changing their lives for the better. This impact story was a testament to the power of dedication and innovation in bringing about positive change in the lives of marginalised communities.
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