Empowering Key Populations Through Data Literacy
For years, key populations in Uganda have struggled to access data literacy programs, which are essential for collecting and analyzing data and preparing it for dissemination. This lack of access has made it difficult for these communities to have their voices heard in national decision-making processes. However, a new training platform by Pollicy is changing that. By providing free courses on digital literacy, safety, and data training, Pollicy is empowering key populations to make a difference in their own communities and beyond.
Princess Beyonce (not her real name) is a key population member in Uganda who has struggled to access data literacy programs that can help her use data for advocacy. “I have been frustrated for a long time because I know that data can help us make a difference, but I didn’t know where to start,” she says. “When I heard about the Pollicy training platform, I was excited because it gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and make a difference in my community.”
Princess Beyonce is not alone in her struggle. Somewhere in the middle, it is important to mention that the Pollicy training platform is very timely, as there are no such platforms where people can learn new skills such as data literacy targeting marginalized communities such as key populations. For years, these communities have had few opportunities to learn data literacy skills, which are essential for collecting, analyzing, and preparing data for dissemination. This lack of access has made it difficult for them to have their voices heard in national decision-making processes, where key population issues are often overlooked or not taken into account.
To address this critical need, the Rapid Research for Agile Policymaking (VOICE) project consortium members, led by the technical partner Pollicy, launched a new training platform aimed at equipping key populations with essential data literacy skills. Since last year, the platform has been in development, and it now offers free courses on topics like digital literacy, safety, and data training.
Another important member of the population, Ciara Skies (not her real name), talks about how the Pollicy training platform has helped her work: “Before taking these courses, I felt like I was missing a critical piece of the puzzle.” Now, I have the skills to collect and analyze data based on my own experiences, which can be used to inform advocacy efforts and policy change.”
A trainer on the Pollicy platform, Brian Figures (not his real name), talks about how important these skills are. “Data literacy skills are critical for key populations because they enable them to collect and analyze data based on their own experiences.” This information can be used to help with advocacy and policy changes, so that these communities can have a say in how national decisions are made.
The importance of data literacy skills for key populations cannot be overstated. Without these skills, their voices may not be heard in national decision-making processes, and their experiences may be overlooked or not taken into account. Furthermore, data literacy skills enable these communities to collect and analyze data based on their own experiences, which can be used to inform advocacy efforts and policy change.
Pollicy’s training platform is a much-needed resource for key populations in Uganda. By providing free courses on digital literacy, safety, and data training, Pollicy is empowering key populations to make a difference in their own communities and beyond. It is worth noting that Pollicy will continue updating the platform with updated courses which people can always take and learn new skills.
Pollicy is setting a new standard for data literacy training in Uganda. Their training platform is a critical resource for key populations, equipping them with essential skills that are often overlooked in other initiatives. By providing these skills, Pollicy is ensuring that key populations have a voice in national decision-making processes and that their experiences are used to inform advocacy efforts and policy change. As Princess Beyonce puts it, “I’m excited to see what we can accomplish with these skills. I know that we can make a difference.”
