Empowering Women through Digital Literacy

Today, March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.

This year, the Un Women’s theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” which highlights the importance of access to technology and digital literacy for women to address their needs and have access to opportunities for learning and employment.

Despite the progress made towards gender equality in the workplace, women continue to face challenges in accessing and using digital tools that could help them find the resources they need to thrive. In Canada, women who have lower levels of education or are unemployed are more likely to have slower internet connections and are less likely to access training opportunities over the internet; in addition, they are also less likely to use the internet to search for employment, as well as search for critical information on topics like health (Source).

This is where programs like the WINS’ Community Resources Hubs come in.

The Community Resources Hubs work to provide women with the tools they need to develop their digital literacy. By empowering women with necessary skills to thrive digitally, they not only succeed in the workplace but also become advocates for the importance of technology.

We currently have four Hubs in Calgary, which offer a range of programs and services that are designed to assist women in taking their first steps in the world of technology and provide them with a safe and professional space to attend online meetings.

One of the developing focuses of the Community Resources Hubs is to encourage and support women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed digitally, we can help break down barriers and create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Other services provided by the Hub includes:

• Digital literacy classes to assist women in feeling comfortable in dealing with technology

• Public Access Computers

• Community Connections Lounge that provides a professional space for women to attend online meetings in a safe environment

• Refer clients to employment service programs that provide Point of Sale (POS) training to prepare them for a career in the retail industry

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the importance of gender equality in all aspects of life, including access to technology and digital literacy. By supporting WINS, you can help empower women to succeed in the digital age and create a more equitable future for our community. To learn more contact us at hubs@winsyyc.ca