Gender Digital Divide Online Course - This free course was funded by USAID through the Mobile Solutions, Technical Assistance and Research (mSTAR) project at FHI 360.
Mobile technologies are changing lives around the world, but not for everyone. Women are being excluded. There is a gender gap in women’s access to and use of information communication technologies (ICTs), preventing them and their communities from reaching their potential. This course introduces development practitioners to the barriers in women's access and adoption of digital tools, and the impact of the digital gender divide. Course participants will develop an understanding of key gender and ICT considerations when designing and implementing projects and programs with digital components.
The course's key themes are presented in three modules:
Module 1 looks at why access to ICTs matter, as well as women's current level of access to and use of ICTs. Where is the gap, and how big is it?
Module 2 explores reasons for the digital gender gap. Why does it exist in the first place?
Module 3 looks at practical steps to take in your work, using examples from other projects and programs. What can you do? What do you need to consider?
The course is delivered through slides with audio - I think the first module is about 40 slides, the other modules less. The audio is closed-captioned, so you can read rather than listen (something I prefer). You go through the slides at your own pace, and can pause slides at any time. Following the three modules is an assessment and quizzes to check what you've learned.
I just took it and it's actually quite good - I was skeptical it would be anything beyond very general info.
More information on additional USAID programs to address the digital gender divide can be found on USAID's Digital Inclusion site, including USAID's WomenConnect Challenge. The digital course team can be reached at digitalinclusion@usaid.gov