What DigitALL Means to Us
At World Pulse, we celebrate the power of technology to connect and uplift women every day of the year.
Technology is a powerful catalyst for enabling women’s leadership, and on World Pulse, women harness digital tools to forge connections and fuel movements. From teaching girls how to code to inventing apps to address gender-based violence, delivering healthcare, and more, women are using tech to lead the way to a better future.
The United Nations’ 2023 theme for International Women’s Day — “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” — inspires us to raise our voices even louder for the safe, supportive digital world we want to create.
Right now, World Pulse members are logging on from nearly every country of the world to share what digital tools and safe digital spaces mean to them.
Here’s what they have to say.
Let’s create a safer digitALL world.
With women’s rights violations on the rise globally, we need safe and supportive platforms to come together and collaborate for change. Too many social media platforms perpetuate negativity, hate speech, and cyberbullying.
“For women and girls to benefit from the internet and digital tools they need to have safe spaces where they can express their joys, pains, concerns, fears, and questions, yet not fear that these will be used against them,” says Jefiter Mang, a World Pulse Featured Changemaker from Nigeria.
On World Pulse, women say they find a protected space to connect, inspire each other, and reimagine the future of technology.
“I stand for change in the digital world for a better and safer tomorrow,” says World Pulse member Purity Waithira of Kenya. “We are the game changers of our era and must leave a trail for the future generation to follow.”
Less doom scrolling. More changemaking.
World Pulse members are contributing to a safer digitALL world. Meet four women from four countries who are raising their voices to create change.
In Cameroon, she teaches deaf and vulnerable women digital skills
Featured Changemaker Regina Afanwi Young of Cameroon grew up not knowing what a computer or phone was. Today the Founder of Association for the Empowerment of the Deaf and Vulnerable Persons teaches digital workshops, giving more than 700 deaf, hard-of-hearing and other vulnerable women tangible skills to build a livelihood and train others.
“Technology has helped me build more self-confidence and greatly improved my self- esteem,” Regina says. “I have been able to access opportunities to empower myself and equip myself with skills relevant to my work so I am more confident to speak in trainings, gatherings, and anywhere.”
Online, she speaks out against GBV in Trinidad and Tobago while growing her business
Featured Changemaker Elizabeth Francis of Trinidad and Tobago says digital technology has provided her a platform to speak out against gender-based violence and given her sustainable fashion business exposure. “Without digital technology, I would not have had an opportunity to meet the most amazing, empowered, purpose-driven sheroes I’ve ever met, or to read their powerful stories, thoughts, and accomplishments,” she says.
After being cyberbullied, she advocates for digital literacy and better policies in Libya
In Libya, member Nisreen Eisray felt violated and helpless after experiencing cyberbullying and harassment. In her country, only 22.5 percent of women participate in the labor force, and gender-based violence remains a significant concern. She’s found hope and strength in online communities like World Pulse.
“My commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive digital world is to promote digital literacy and advocate for better policies that protect individuals from online violence,” Nisreen says. “Others can join this commitment by speaking out against online violence, reporting abusive content, and promoting safe and inclusive online communities.”
This STEM leader in Kenya imagines women building a better digital ecosystem
As a woman in STEM, member Harriet Afandi of Kenya says one of the biggest challenges in her field is finding women role models. Women in tech experience stereotypes and biases, along with backlash from men. Harriet dreams of women in the field creating a better digital landscape and STEM career opportunities for women and girls.
“I believe that with like-minded professionals, we can build gender-responsive digital ecosystems that can help fill this digital divide gender gap,” she says. “This can be done through initiatives like STEM empowerment for women and girls, technological mentorships for women through women-led networking, and employment opportunities across the globe.”
This International Women’s Day, log on and rise up with World Pulse.
This International Women’s Day, World Pulse is your safe space to speak out, make connections, and access the tools and resources you need to create change. Hear from more World Pulse members about what digital tools and safe spaces mean to them — and share your own story about tech for good. Let’s create a safer digitALL world, together.
#LogOnRiseUp
#InternationalWomensDay
Originally published at worldpulse.org.
