In Senegal, the informal economy is dominated in urban areas by internal migrants (53.6 % of activities). Thanks to digital technologies, it includes a dynamic electronic trade via social media. The covid-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, with an increase in online purchasing by Senegalese people.
However, although men have better access to digital tools due to gender inequalities in the digital sector, the proportion of women entrepreneurs is nevertheless significant.
These women have to face substantial obstacles to their digital wellbeing, preventing them from fully benefitting from knowledge on digital platforms. Many women had no opportunity to stay in school, and lack adequate training on effective use of digital tools. Consequently, they struggle to professionalise their online activities. This reduces the impact of their initiatives, exacerbates gender stereotypes and exposes women to online violence, which men in similar conditions do not encounter.
Some of these women are living with a handicap (physical handicap, albinism, etc.), and encounter these obstacles more severely, which increases their vulnerability and their marginalisation by other people. To address this, the Numer’Elles project teams aim to boost women’s economic autonomy by training them to use digital tools, supporting them with their digital entrepreneurship and raising their awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) and cyber violence. Ultimately, the gap in terms of access to digital resources will be reduced, and thousands of young women will be more aware of these types of violence thanks to online campaigns designed specifically for this purpose.
In partnership with Simplon, GRET plans to support several women to use digital tools correctly. 25 young women will benefit from training, notably on what it means to be an influencer, content creation and digital communication, digital marketing and growth strategy, cybersecurity and e-reputation management, and the use of generative artificial intelligence. These activities will be rolled out by Simplon, a major player in digital inclusion in Senegal.
In partnership with GRET, Simplon will be responsible for delivering sessions to boost capacities for entrepreneurship and leadership, financial management, and soft skills. Young women will also receive training on GBV and cyber violence.
Online awareness-raising actions on these types of violence and on cyber bullying will subsequently be conducted by the young women supported as part of the Numer’Elles project. Taking an inclusive HE for SHE approach, outreach actions will foster collective awareness.
● Boost economic empowerment of women by training them on better use of digital tools.
● Boost young women’s leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
● Train young women to understand GBV and cyber violence.
● Conduct online awareness-raising campaigns on GBV and cyber violence taking an inclusive HE for SHE approach.
● 25 young women from the Dakar region are trained to use digital tools, in entrepreneurship and leadership, and on GBV and cyber violence.
● 25 online awareness-raising campaigns on GBV and cyber bullying are facilitated by the young women trained.
