As the internet ecosystem in Ghana continues to expand, it offers potential for deepening the country’s democratic culture, and through that, accelerate its socio-economic development.
There is, however, a wide gender gap in terms of access, affordability and utilisation of the internet in the country, reflecting traditional gender inequalities offline. Women’s activities on Facebook, for example, is estimated to represent 36.5% against 63.5% by men
To help address this gap, the Media Foundation for West Africa, with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is implementing a project aimed at increasing public awareness and respect for online rights, particularly women’s rights online in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The project will among others, improve the digital literacy of at least 200 women (women journalists, women’s rights activists, among others) to improve their capacity to advocate for women’s rights online in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
As a first step, a database of women journalists, bloggers and activists in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone has been built. Following this, a one-day training workshop on women’s rights online issues is being held in Ghana for about 120 journalists, bloggers and activists. About 80 journalists, bloggers and activists would also be trained in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Participants will be introduced to Digital Rights, Social Media and Online Privacy and Identifying and Dealing with Online Abuses Against women. They will also receive training on Digital Storytelling and Digital Content Creation.
Participants will also be trained on effective ways of promoting women’s rights online. The workshop will also fashion out ways participants can contribute to Women’s Rights Online advocacy in order to benefit from the internet’s potentials.
For more information, contact MFWA’s Programme Manager for Digital Rights, Vivian Affoah, at vivian[@]mfwa.org or +233 244 896588.
