Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality is the theme for this years International Womens day. What becomes of the Rural woman who has no access to these facilities?

The theme for 2023 International Women's Day is "Digital innovation and Technology for Gender Equality" 

What then happens to the majority of Rural women who are considered not to have access to these technological facilities?

 Upfront spoke to women from diverse backgrounds and brought together this report.

​Rural women are active agents of economic and social change and environmental protection. Unfortunately they are in many ways and to various degrees, constrained in their roles as farmers, producers, investors, caregivers and consumers. They play crucial roles ensuring food and nutrition security, eradicating rural poverty and improving the well-being of their families yet continue to face serious challenges as a result of gender-based stereotypes and discrimination that deny them equitable access to opportunities, resources, assets and services.

   Reacting to this years theme, Digital Literacy Trainer, Rosaline Obah says  "Digital innovation and technology have the potential to promote gender equality in numerous ways, from expanding women's access to education and economic opportunities to addressing gender-based violence and discrimination. However, it is important to recognize that not all women have equal access to these technologies, particularly those living in rural or low-income areas. This "digital divide" can reinforce existing inequalities and make it difficult for marginalized women to fully benefit from digital innovation and technology"

Rosaline Obah

Digital Literacy Trainer 

  According to Journalist and Gender Activist, Wanchia Cynthia, the focus on digital technology is a major setback as far as rural women are concerned. 

"That for me is the shortcoming with the 2023 theme of the IWD. Women in areas considered urban still face challenges in manipulating their android phones, what more of women in the rural areas? How accessible are these digital innovations or technology to women? We still have a very long way to go with electricity and internet services needed to accompany our digital innovations and technology. It is a good theme that begs for deeper reflections. Yes, if we can address this, then we can start talking about bridging the gender gap with the appropriate use of digital innovations and technology"

Wanchia Cynthia 

Journalist/ Gender Activist 

"The theme doesn't tie with rural women as they don't have lights, phones and laptops. Some women in urban areas cannot even afford these facilities" Mrs Ngum Claudette, a Teacher based in the Northwest Region reacts to this years theme.

 A Bamenda based Journalist Philo Happi thinks the theme is not relevant because most women living in Urban areas cannot properly manipulate their phones, talk more of the rural woman in the village.

Philo Happi 

Journalist 

" Ino fes understand me the theme because i no fes get me android phone. I di manage na ma choronko phone so that theme no work for me" says Ella Manka, a Bamenda based housewife.

 Unlike others, VictoryMarshal Bassang, Journalist and life coach thinks otherwise.

 "It's a gradual process that I believe with time, it will ventilate down to the Rural woman. If the urban woman goes ahead to take the lead in Digital innovation and Technology,  it's just a matter of time, they will in turn pass it down to the rural woman. Besides most of our grandparents in the village have android phones with which they frequently communicate via WhatsApp with their children and relatives abroad. I believe with time the world will become a digital global village"

VictoryMarshal Ayafor

Journalist 

 Communication/Public Relations expert , Nfor Francis thinks the rural woman was sidelined while conceiving this years theme. He insists that the rural woman is of the majority but the absence of electricity in rural areas makes it challenging for the  rural woman to be fully integrated as far as technology is concerned. This is because digital equipment are powered by electricity which is absent in most rural areas.

Nfor Francis 

Communication/PR Expert

As far as providing solutions and bridging the gap in access to digital technology is concerned, Rosaline Obah says that,

" It is important to recognize that simply providing access to technology is not enough. Women may face additional barriers, such as gender stereotypes or lack of support from their communities, that prevents them from fully utilizing these technologies. Therefore, it is crucial to take a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality through digital innovation and technology. This may involve working with communities to change attitudes and norms around gender roles, providing mentorship and support networks for women in tech, and ensuring that digital tools and resources are designed with the needs of diverse women in mind"

 The international women's day is celebrated all over the international community every 8th March, an opportunity to celebrate women and their monumental impacts globally.

By Ruth Che Wachong 

Published by Upfront 

Wednesday March 8th 2023, in Bamenda