Ephemeral !!

Ephemeral is not just a word, 

It's a situation !

A bleeding wound gifted by one forever. 

An emotion more does it mean.

Once you were everything,

Then, you are none

Only a good woodcutter knows 

When and how to chop the trunk...!!!

(170325)

Empower women, empower the nation

We are living in a “global village” era where women are more empowered than ever before. They are independent, both socially and economically. The ‘new normal’ period after the pandemic, COVID-19, also increased the use of digital technology, opened the scope of e-commerce, which was beyond their imagination.

UNDP’s projects in Haryana and Telangana are the greatest example of the digital empowerment of our women. Through different programs in these states, UNDP invested in training programs among women that increased their digital literacy and familiarity with technology tools and platforms. This helped a women's collective group from Haryana to list their bangle-making business on an e-commerce site and expand their market. Likewise, in Telangana, 2000 handloom weavers and artisans received training and were able to expand their business through online sites.

 

It’s not just UN, digital media academies are also focussing and providing a lot of opportunities for digitally empowering women. 80% of students, even if it’s for coding or design studies, are girls. They are really dedicated and committed. What attracts girls more attracted into this? The answer is they can learn and earn from anywhere, no need to worry about their household chaos. Apart from that, no degree is needed, no career gap is a headache, and nothing stops them from learning.

 

The Indian government has been at the forefront of making our country a more digital-ready nation. Right from bank accounts to booking LPG, everything is digitalized, where women are the major beneficiaries. However, the complete usage of these platforms fully depends on how digitally literate the people are. In data released by the centre in 2021 (National Sample Survey 2020-21), it showed that digital literacy was very low among Indians. The multiple-indicator survey measured nine indicators of digital literacy and found that only 22% of men and 21% of all women above the age of 15 have some form of digital literacy. But the latest study published in 2023 by NASSCOM shows that 59 % of men and 29% of women are digitally literate in our country. The number of internet users is also increasing at a great pace. It has increased from 481 million in 2019 to 743 million in 2023, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India’s data.  

 

At a glance, we may feel embarrassed to see the results. But the same data throws light on some very interesting findings too, that India has a huge potential to increase her digital literacy. An increase in digital literacy will not only improve the usage of digital platforms, but will also help to reduce the dangers associated with them, especially during the time of digital frauds.

 

A woman could take up any role; a mother, a wife, daughter, sister, doctor, banker… An empowered woman contributes not just to her family, but to the entire community.  As the proverb goes, ‘you educate a man, you educate an individual, you educate a woman, you educate an entire nation’. So, empowering a woman is essential to securing the future of our nation.  

Happy Women's Day