Unveiling the Hidden Figures: Inspiring Stories of Women in the Nexus of Tech and Rural Futures
Victoria Agyepong ( TM )
Innovation for Health, Food, Planet, Edu, People | Music | Construction| Justice| Conservation
Women are making significant contributions at the intersection of technology and rural development, inspiring positive change and empowering communities. Here are some inspiring stories of women working in this nexus:
Bakhriniso Nartaeva from Uzbekistan is a shining example of the resilience and determination of rural women. For 30 years, she has been producing dairy products, starting with a single cow and growing her herd to support her family. Inspired by training on modern farming techniques and cooperative organisation, Bakhriniso plans to unite women in her village to start a dairy cooperative, potentially increasing income and employment opportunities for rural women. Her story is a testament to the inspiring potential of rural women in the tech industry, filling us with hope and inspiration for the future.
In Ghana, Bernice Dapaah addressed multiple challenges - traffic congestion, youth unemployment, poverty, and deforestation - by starting an initiative to produce and distribute bamboo bicycles. She has engaged ten local women in bamboo farming and 45 female bike assemblers across three communities. This eco-friendly transportation solution is particularly beneficial for rural women, as the lightweight yet sturdy bamboo bikes can withstand farm loads and rough terrain.
Dr. Basma Hassan, a key figure in the NEXUS-NESS project, is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed for rural development. Her PhD research, which focused on evaluating governance models for public services in rural areas, incorporated advanced modelling techniques. Her expertise spans sustainable rural development, governance models, rural planning, and participatory approaches[5]. The NEXUS-NESS project, in collaboration with the University of Florence, launched a campaign called "Leading Ladies in STEM" to promote women's roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers, particularly in managing Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) sectors. The campaign showcases success stories of women excelling in these fields to inspire more girls to pursue STEM careers[5].
These stories demonstrate the transformative power of technology in driving sustainable development in rural areas. They address challenges in agriculture, energy, transportation, and community empowerment, significantly improving livelihoods, contributing to environmental conservation, and promoting gender equality. Their work not only paints a promising picture for the future but also serves as a testament to the potential of women in rural areas to drive positive change through technology, leaving us feeling optimistic and supportive of their endeavours.
Technology is a powerful tool that rural women are leveraging to improve their livelihoods and empower themselves economically and socially. Here are some key ways technology is being used:
1. Mobile banking and financial services: Mobile banking provides rural women with secure access to financial services, allowing them to manage personal finances, receive loans, and expand businesses.
2. Agricultural tech solutions: Apps and services that provide weather forecasts, soil health information, and market prices empower female farmers to increase productivity and income.
3. E-commerce platforms: Rural women entrepreneurs use online marketplaces to sell products beyond their local communities, reaching broader markets.
4. Digital literacy programs: Initiatives teaching basic digital skills enable women to access online information, resources and services, opening up new opportunities.
5. Mobile health (mHealth) services: Health-related apps and services provide rural women with access to medical information, remote consultations, and health monitoring.
6. Online education: E-learning platforms offer rural women access to educational courses and professional skills development from home.
7. Community tech hubs: Shared facilities with computers and internet access host training sessions and workshops for women to develop tech skills.
8. Social media for advocacy: Rural women use social platforms to raise awareness about community issues and connect with support networks.
9. Solar engineering: Some programs train rural women as "solar engineers" to install and maintain solar technology in remote villages, bringing electricity and economic opportunities.
10. Crowdsourcing apps: Technologies like Safety use crowdsourced data to map areas with high incidences of harassment, empowering women to stay safe.
While these technology-enabled solutions are making significant strides in addressing rural women's challenges, from financial inclusion to healthcare access to entrepreneurship opportunities, it's crucial to acknowledge the digital gender gap. This term refers to the disparity in access to and use of digital technologies between men and women. Rural women often need more access to mobile internet and devices than men, which can limit their opportunities for economic and social empowerment. This underscores the need for ongoing efforts to increase rural women's access to and skills in using technology to realise its empowering potential fully, making us aware of the issue and motivated to take action.
Rural women can be supported to invent tech tools through several key strategies:
1. Provide targeted education and training: Offer specialised programs tailored to rural women in STEM fields, coding, and technology development. This can include formal education and informal workshops or boot camps.
2. Create mentorship programs: Connect rural women inventors with experienced mentors in the tech industry who can provide guidance, support, and networking opportunities[4].
3. Establish innovation hubs and maker spaces: Establish community tech centres equipped with the necessary tools and resources for prototyping and development, giving rural women access to technology they might not have at home.
4. Offer funding and grants: Provide financial support for rural women inventors through grants, low-interest loans, or crowdfunding platforms to help them develop their ideas[2].
5. Promote digital literacy: Implement programs to enhance overall digital skills, which form the foundation for more advanced tech development.
6. Encourage participation in tech competitions: Organize or facilitate rural women's participation in hackathons, innovation challenges, and tech competitions to showcase their ideas and gain exposure.
7. Address cultural barriers: Work with communities to challenge gender stereotypes and promote the idea that women can be successful tech inventors and entrepreneurs.
8. Provide access to information and resources: Ensure rural women access research materials, online courses, and information about market needs and technology trends.
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9. Create supportive networks: Establish peer groups or associations for rural women in tech to share experiences, collaborate on projects, and provide mutual support.
10. Collaborate with tech companies: Partner with established tech firms to provide internships, apprenticeships, or sponsored projects for rural women inventors.
11. Improve infrastructure: Advocate for better internet connectivity and access to devices in rural areas, which is crucial for tech development.
12. Showcase success stories: Highlight and celebrate the achievements of rural women who have successfully invented tech tools to inspire and motivate others.
By implementing these strategies, we can create an enabling environment that empowers rural women to become active participants and innovators in the tech industry rather than just consumers of technology. This approach benefits the women themselves and brings diverse perspectives and solutions to technological challenges, potentially addressing the unique needs of rural communities.
Below is an example of a technological solution that we have applied ( social media advocacy): I led an AI Literacy Workshop with 15 researchers and students at Te Punaha Matatini Whanau in May 2022 :
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