In a bid to bridge the technology-gender gap, Intel Corporation has launched an online learning platform for women called “My Digital Journey”.
My Digital Journey is a web-based application with gaming mechanics that allows women to learn, connect and share online, either individually or in a facilitated environment and with the support of a peer network. It uses case scenarios relevant to women in the form of challenges and ensures they practice the solutions to each challenge before moving on to the next level.
This platform is a new addition to the Intel® She Will Connect program which aims to bridge the technology-gender gap, by teaching young women how to positively utilize the internet in pursuing their dream and achieving their goals.
During the program’s launch in Nairobi, Kenya, Ms. Rosalind Hudnell, Intel Corporation’s Vice President, Director of Corporate Affairs, and President Intel Foundation said “This learning platform provides women and girls with a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and access additional resources that support learning in a safe environment. Gaining access to the Internet enables women and girls to improve their self-esteem and expression, expand their social and political participation, gain new skills that enable them to obtain formal education, become entrepreneurs, or secure employment, and in addition get access to information and new connections within their communities and beyond.”
Learners on My Digital Journey will receive a digital completion certificate after successfully completing three quests. Each quest comprises 3-6 missions. The first mission may take a learner 15-45 minutes depending on reading speed and the thought put into responding to challenges.
UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Simone ellis Oluoch-Olunya, while speaking at the event said “Grounded in the vision of equality, UN Women believes that technology can be a game-changer for women and girls. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment is one of the five priority areas of UN Women’s work, therefore this initiative is one of many UN Women is undertaking to advance women’s economic empowerment and support women, particularly from a technology perspective,’’ added Ms. Oluoch-Olunya.
Intel says it is passionate about educating girls and closing the Internet gender gap because it believes that doing so would have an important multiplier effect by expanding opportunities for families, communities, and nations. Hence the reason for rolling out the My Digital Journey program in sub-Saharan Africa, where the gap is the greatest, with initial pilots in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.