Resources
| General | |
|---|---|
| WomenConnect Challenge Brochure |
Learn about the history and activities of the WomenConnect Challenge and the five proven strategies for closing the gender digital divide. |
| WomenConnect Proven Strategies |
Through Round One, USAID has identified these proven strategies for closing the gender digital divide and increasing women’s economic empowerment. |
| WCC Steps to Success Webinar Series: Creating Economic Opportunities |
In a series of 4 webinars, we break down the WomenConnect Proven Strategies with insights from eminent researchers and WCC awardees. This webinar discusses how education and online workforce opportunities for women can afford them additional access to technology. |
| WCC Steps to Success Webinar Series: Challenging Social Norms and Cultural Perceptions |
In a series of 4 webinars, we break down the WomenConnect Proven Strategies with insights from eminent researchers and WCC awardees. Learn more about how to tackle existing social and cultural norms to help women gain access to information and opportunities, build confidence, and feel empowered. |
| WCC Steps to Success Webinar Series: Cultivating Confidence in Women |
In a series of 4 webinars, we break down the WomenConnect Proven Strategies with insights from eminent researchers and WCC awardees. In this webinar, we look at ways to overcome ingrained traditional gender roles which may lead women and men to believe that women are unable to use technology and how targeted programs can help women increase self-efficacy. |
| WCC Steps to Success Webinar Series: Designing Creative Women-Centric Technology |
In a series of 4 webinars, we break down the WomenConnect Proven Strategies with insights from eminent researchers and WCC awardees. Learn how programs can use technology options tailored to women in developing countries, in particular to reach women who are illiterate or have low literacy levels. |
| Closing the Gender Digital Divide Video |
|
| Blog: Two Proven Tactics to Recruit Male Champions to Close the Gender Digital Divide |
Men and boys must play a critical role in bridging the gender divide. Learn how WomenConnect Challenge grantees focused on ways to engage men and boys to close the gender digital divide and increase women’s economic empowerment. |
| Blog: Shifting Harmful Social Norms |
The WomenConnect Challenge (WCC) works to change harmful social norms and help women to navigate and harness the opportunities of digital technologies. WCC has identified six different strategies that its grantees are using to demonstrate more positive social norms around women’s and girls’ access to and use of technology. |
| Round One | |
|---|---|
| WomenConnect Round One Grantees |
Collection of one-pagers about the grantees from WomenConnect Challenge Round One and their grant activities to close the gender digital divide. |
| Closing the Gender Digital Divide Blog |
Read about how DAI's Digital Frontiers project and USAID are closing the gender digital divide and bringing more women online. |
| Newsletter |
Mid-year Update from WomenConnect Challenge Round One. |
| Awardee Fact Sheet |
Learn more about the 2018 WomenConnect Challenge Round One grantees. |
| Press Release |
USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Michelle Bekkering Announces Winners of the WomenConnect Challenge to Empower Women and Girls through Technology |
| Solver Symposium Blog |
In this blog from Michelle Bekkering, learn about the WomenConnect Challenge Round One semi-finalists and their trip to Washington, D.C. to help them shape proposals to bridge the gender digital divide. |
| Video: A Refuge for Rosie |
See how a Round One awardee HOT used digital maps to help locate and protect girls at risk of female genital mutilation. |
| Video: Equal Access International |
Watch how a Round One awardee Equal Access International used a radio program and family discussion groups to change perceptions around women's use of the internet in Northern Nigeria. |
| Video: Gram Vaani |
Round One awardee Gram Vaani demonstrates how their WomenConnect program enabled female beneficiaries to be able to express themselves and get support for livelihood and social security issues in India. |
| Video: GAPI and Bluetown |
See how Round One awardee GAPI and partner Bluetown joined efforts to create "Women in teh Network" and expand women's access to information in Mozambique. |
| Round Two | |
|---|---|
| WomenConnect Round Two Grantees |
Collection of factsheets about the grantees from WomenConnect Challenge Round Two and their grant activities to close the gender digital divide. |
| WCC Fact Sheet: Dimagi |
Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment in Rwanda through Financial Literacy and Female-Centric Technology |
| WCC Fact Sheet: Solidaridad |
Digital Inclusion & Financial Empowerment for Female Dairy Farmers in Bangladesh |
| WCC Fact Sheet: United Purpose |
Promoting Women’s Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Senegal through Financial Literacy Training and Access to Credit and Banking Services |
| Press Release |
USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick launched Round Two of the WomenConnect Challenge. |
| Blog: Solidaridad |
Solidaridad's USAID-Funded WomenConnect Challenge Project Gains Momentum. |
| Blog: Solidaridad |
Solidaridad’s USAID-funded WomenConnect Challenge project makes further progress as COVID-related restrictions ease and allow more field-based activities to get off the ground. |
| Round Three | |
|---|---|
| Launch Fact Sheet |
W-GDP Fund Announces $122 Million in Progress and Partnerships |
| WCC Fact Sheet: AFCHIX |
Expanding Women’s Access to the Internet Through Female-Led Community Networks |
| WCC Fact Sheet: Nivi |
Providing More Accessible Healthcare for Women |
| WCC Fact Sheet: Mediae |
Building Capacity of Female Smallholder Farmers in Kenya and Uganda with Technology |
| WCC Fact Sheet: Heifer International |
Empowering a Network of Women Farmers |
| Blog: Building Trust in Technology: How an Agricultural App Is Taking Root Among Women Farmers in Nepal |
WomenConnect Challenge grantee Heifer promotes digital inclusion in Nepal through an app that provides agricultural advice to women farmers. Read how partnerships with local governments and promotion through word of mouth are contributing to the app's success. |
| Blog: Edutainment Model Shakes Up—and “Shapes Up”—International Development Communications |
In Kenya and Uganda, WomenConnect Challenge grantee Mediae is using an agriculture-based television show “Shamba Shape Up” to promote women’s empowerment and financial inclusion. The TV series educates viewers on improved farming methods, including taking climate change adaptation measures and promoting gender and financial inclusion. Learn more about Mediae’s “edutainment model”. |
| Blog: Expanding Internet Access in Rural Morocco |
Expanding internet access in rural Morocco has been essential for communities like Ait Izdeg, a rural town located in the Atlas Mountains. Community networks built by USAID’s WomenConnect Challenge grantee AFCHIX has empowered women to access valuable information and learn digital skills to support their families. |
| WCC India | |
|---|---|
| WCC India Website |
WomenConnect Challenge India website |
| WCC India Launch Video |
Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, announces Reliance Foundation's partnership with W-GDP to bridge the gender digital divide across India. |
| WCC India Press Release |
USAID and Reliance Foundation announce WCC India grantees. |
| WCC India Round Two Press Release |
USAID and Reliance Foundation announce winners of WCC India Round Two. |