The digital revolution, while offering immense opportunities, often deepens existing inequalities, particularly for women in rural areas. Picture a woman farmer, constrained by societal norms and lacking the digital skills necessary to benefit from the digital age. This scenario reflects the broader reality for many women in East Africa, who face significant barriers in accessing and utilising digital tools.
Pollicy in collaboration with Horizont3000, undertook a gender analysis as part of the Thrive Digitalisation project. This involved assessing how gender dynamics affect digitalisation efforts and providing tailored ICT training to partner organisations. The analysis drew from documents and reports across over forty Horizont3000 partners in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, with additional data from PALM Corps and the Agency for Accelerated Regional Development (AFARD).
The findings revealed a substantial digital gender gap, complicated by intersecting factors such as age, religion, disability and location. Barriers to digital access are not just about geography or gender; they are multifaceted, reflecting how different aspects of identity such as ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, intersect and influence one’s digital experience.
Discussions with focus groups highlighted poverty as a major barrier to digital inclusion. Many participants, especially those in refugee communities, reported living below the Ugandan national poverty line of $1.77 per person per day. As one key informant noted, the pressing needs of refugees often overshadow the acquisition of smartphones, limiting their participation in digital initiatives. However, initiatives like Palm Corps’ Digital Literacy clinics and subsidised phones are helping to bridge this gap.
“There is a significant difference between the host and refugee communities. Poverty is widespread among refugees who often face more urgent priorities than acquiring smartphones, making their participation in digital initiatives less likely..” FGD Participant.
Age also played a role, with younger individuals (aged 20–30 years) more likely to use smartphones, regardless of gender. Older women, particularly those over 50 years, faced greater challenges in navigating digital tools, highlighting the need for age-specific digital literacy training.
In response to these diverse needs, a tailored curriculum was developed for the Thrive Digitalisation Project’s implementing partners in Uganda and Tanzania. This curriculum, designed with a gender perspective, focused on core digital literacy skills, digital safety, and overcoming gender-based barriers to inclusion. It also addressed the broader principles of digital development and how factors like gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status intersect to influence use of digital tools.
The Thrive Digitalisation Project represents a significant step forward, but much work remains. Closing the digital divide requires targeted training, strong community engagement, and collaboration between organisations. Only through a comprehensive approach can we ensure that everyone has the tools and confidence to thrive in the digital world.
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Authors: Bonaventure Saturday (Pollicy) & Irene Mwendwa (Pollicy)
