At Let’s Help International (LHI), we have always believed that the power of technology can bridge divides and create opportunities for those who need them most. We are thrilled to share our recent journey at UNHCR’s Digital Gender Inclusion and Innovation Bootcamp, a virtual event that aimed to equip refugee-led organizations with the skills and tools to address the digital gender gap in displaced communities. Out of over 300 applications, LHI was chosen to participate among 12 successful organisations , a testament to our unwavering commitment and passion.
Closing the Digital Gender Divide: A Collective Effort
The UNHCR Innovation Service is dedicated to supporting refugees, forcibly displaced individuals, and UNHCR colleagues by using innovative tools and approaches to address pressing challenges. One critical aspect of this service focuses on closing the digital gender divide.
In today’s digital age, countless opportunities have emerged worldwide, but unfortunately, not everyone has access to them. For more than 50 million displaced women and girls globally, these opportunities remain limited or completely inaccessible. Digital information, resources, communities, and opportunities are often out of reach for those who could benefit from them the most.
UNHCR extended an open invitation to refugee-led, women-led, community-based organizations to apply for the intensive virtual training bootcamp. The goal was clear: to equip participants with the skills and tools needed to bridge the digital gender gap in the communities they serve. After careful evaluation, 12 successful in-country organizations were selected to participate.
Designing an Inclusive Virtual Bootcamp
UNHCR partnered with Here I Am Studio to design and deliver this essential virtual bootcamp. Together, they embarked on a journey to define the bootcamp’s structure, content, and objectives. Our overarching goal was clear: to empower all participating organizations with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to digitally include forcibly displaced women and girls.
With organizations joining from nine different countries across three time zones, language diversity, and varying levels of digital literacy and connectivity, they knew that supporting all participants fully was crucial for a successful bootcamp experience.
To set the tone, they introduced environment principles, encouraging participants to “Listen, Share, Mess Up, and Reflect” to foster a playful and supportive environment. They surrounded the bootcamp with support mechanisms, including technical facilitators, a Slack channel, and email support, ensuring that no participant was left behind.
An Inclusive, Human-Centered Approach
The bootcamp followed a structured approach: Learn > Do > Reflect. Mornings were dedicated to interactive workshops, followed by practical activities for participants to complete independently. We regrouped in small teams to reflect on the experiences, sharing insights and learning from one another.
The bootcamp featured content from UNHCR, Here I Am (HIA), GSMA, and EQUALS, covering a wide range of topics within digital gender inclusion. We took participants on a journey through the human-centered design process. They started with real-world challenges brought in from their respective fields, then defined and empathized with target audiences, analyzed existing barriers, brainstormed solutions, and mapped out user journeys. The week concluded with participants presenting their developed concepts as investment cases. The safe and supportive environment created throughout the bootcamp allowed almost all participants to highly rate their pitch experiences.
LHI’s Participation and Commitment to Digital Inclusion
We are thrilled to announce that LHI was chosen to participate in this transformative bootcamp. Two of our staff members attended the 4-day event conducted by HERE I AM STUDIO from July 10-13, 2023. This opportunity perfectly aligns with our ongoing efforts to promote digital inclusion and empower refugee communities.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the UNHCR Innovation Team for recognizing our work and thank all our partners, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to the success of our digital inclusion initiatives. Our dedication to expanding our efforts and making a positive impact on the lives of forcibly displaced individuals remains unwavering.
We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our knowledge and expertise in technology and innovation. We will work hard to apply what we learn in this program to our future projects and activities, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve positive change in the lives of women and promote gender equality in disadvantaged communities. Thanks again for your support and encouragement.
Festo Nduwayezu, Let’s Help International
In the spirit of collective action, we urge anyone who can contribute or be involved to join us in our mission. Together, we can bridge the digital gender divide and create a more inclusive digital world for all individuals, especially forcibly displaced women and girls. Let’s empower our community and create equal opportunities in the digital space.
Stay tuned for more updates on our Digital Inclusion Program as we continue our journey toward a brighter, more inclusive digital future.