Outsanding Kisii University female students receive laptops to aid digital literacy

BY ERIC ABUGA

Stacy Motachwa is the founder of a program launched in the rural Kisii to create gender awareness modules on ongoing training on digital skills to address any exclusionary practices that could affect girls.

In collaboration with Kisii University’s Computing Science Department, the program will include basic computer skills, internet safety, utilizing credible sources online and discussions around emerging technologies.

Yesterday Ms Motachwa issued Laptops to eight outstanding first-year university students at Kisii University who have demonstrated academic excellence and resilience.

“Winners will also receive mentorship opportunities and resources to support their college journey,” she says.

Through the program, school going girls, University and local women in rural Kisii are being trained on digital skills as a catalyst for economic opportunities.

Kisii University Vice Chancellor Pro Nathan Ogechi (second right) and Digital Playbook Africa founder Stacy Motachwa (second right)

According to Ms Motachwa, digital technology flows through all aspects of life, fundamentally shaping how people live, learn, work and communicate. 

“While technology opens the door to many opportunities to improve our lives and connect with the world, it can also further marginalize people who lack literacy skills to navigate them.”

She affirms, “Without digital literacy skills, women are unable to benefit from all the resources the internet affords, including but not limited to job opportunities, health information and educational services; things that could further boost their overall livelihood, well-being and economic activity.

The training and awards program hosted by Digital Playbook Africa; a USA-based Non-Governmental Organization operating in Kenya, aims to bridge the gender gap in internet usage and access for girls and women in rural Kenya by providing digital literacy training programs, computers and laptops and internet access aid. 

Through the training program, and under its first phase, Digital Playbook Africa will extend three Continuing Education scholarships for students at Sengera Parish Girls Secondary School in Kisii.

At Kisii University the program will showcase the transformative power of digital skills to break barriers, foster confidence and create economic opportunities for young women in Kenya.

“The program will improve employ ability by having access to online job searches and freelance work, which opens them up to potential sources of income and financial independence,” explains the founder.

The program will also help develop essential life skills by learning about internet safety to foster responsible online behavior, protecting the learners from online threats and cyber bullying.

Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof Nathan Ogechi says the program will boost digital learning female students.

“This is part of our enriched partnership and collaboration program to ensure that our learners have the ability to compete globally.”

Stacy Motachwa (Fourth right) , Founder Digital Playbook Africa wih some of the beneficiries. (Courtesy)

Kisii University Lecturer Teresa Abuga, an expert in ICT for Development, Bioinformatics and Machine Learning Technologies says girls need a stronger push to overcome the compounding socioeconomic challenges to transition beyond the basic levels of education. 

“Their uptake of and retention in further training or job opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is even harder.”

Experts argue that current trends indicate a worldwide shortage of women in the digital technology workplace and the move to digital economies will result in increased rates of unemployment among women across sub-Saharan Africa since administrative and clerical jobs are disappearing.