Introduction
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8th, the theme of digital inclusion for women has never been more relevant. In Ghana’s North East Region, rural women remain largely excluded from the digital economy, despite its rapid growth and potential to transform livelihoods. Limited access to digital infrastructure, low literacy levels, financial constraints, and deep-rooted cultural barriers have created a significant digital divide. This article examines the challenges that hinder rural women’s participation in the digital economy and explores potential strategies to empower them.
Limited Access to Digital Infrastructure
In rural areas of the North East Region, access to reliable internet and mobile connectivity remains a significant barrier. According to the National Communications Authority (NCA, 2022), less than 25% of communities in the region have consistent internet coverage. The high cost of mobile data is another challenge, particularly for women who depend on subsistence farming and small-scale trading for their livelihoods. In communities like Gbingbani and Gbankurugu, women often have to travel long distances to access mobile networks or pay exorbitant fees for limited connectivity. This lack of access prevents them from utilizing digital platforms for business, education, and financial services. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated effort between the government and telecom companies to expand affordable internet access to remote areas.
Low Digital Literacy Levels
The digital literacy gap is a significant obstacle for rural women in the North East Region. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS, 2021), literacy rates for women in rural parts of the region are below 40%, which significantly limits their ability to use smartphones and online platforms effectively. For instance, many women in Chereponi , Yunyoo-Nasuan, Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri and Yagba-Kuboari lack basic skills in using mobile money services or accessing information online. Non-governmental organizations such as Savana Signatures have launched digital literacy programs targeting women, but these initiatives often lack the funding and scale needed to make a substantial impact (Savana Signatures, 2020). Expanding such programs and integrating digital literacy into adult education initiatives could play a critical role in bridging this gap.
Financial Constraints
Financial barriers also play a crucial role in the exclusion of rural women from the digital economy. The cost of smartphones, data packages, and digital services is prohibitive for many women who earn less than GHS 500 per month from farming and informal trade (Ghana Living Standards Survey, 2019). Additionally, financial institutions in the North East Region rarely offer micro-loans specifically for purchasing digital tools, leaving women without the means to invest in technology. Establishing microfinance schemes targeted at digital inclusion, such as loans for smartphones and data, could help alleviate this challenge. Partnerships between local banks and NGOs could also facilitate financial literacy training, ensuring that women can manage digital transactions effectively.
Cultural and Societal Barriers
Cultural norms and traditional gender roles significantly influence women’s access to digital tools in the North East Region. In communities like Walewale and Bunkpurugu, women are often expected to focus on domestic responsibilities, limiting their time and opportunity to learn digital skills (ActionAid Ghana, 2020). Moreover, the perception that technology is primarily for men discourages many women from embracing digital platforms. Addressing these societal barriers requires engaging community leaders and influencers to advocate for women’s digital inclusion. Promoting positive narratives about women’s use of technology and showcasing successful female entrepreneurs could help shift perceptions and inspire more women to embrace digital tools.
Impact of Digital Exclusion
The exclusion of rural women from the digital economy has significant socio-economic implications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women traders in markets such as the Nalerigu Market faced severe income losses due to their inability to access online platforms and reach customers beyond their immediate communities (UNDP Ghana, 2021). The lack of access to digital financial services also leaves women dependent on informal credit sources, which are often exploitative. Empowering rural women with digital tools could significantly enhance their economic resilience, enabling them to access new markets, diversify their income sources, and improve their financial independence.
The Way Forward: Bridging the Digital Divide
Investing in Digital Infrastructure
To address infrastructural challenges, the Ghanaian government must prioritize investments in expanding internet coverage in rural areas of the North East Region. Public-private partnerships could play a critical role in reducing the costs of data and ensuring that connectivity reaches even the most remote communities. Providing subsidies or vouchers for women to access data services could also encourage greater usage and participation in the digital economy (Ministry of Communications Ghana, 2022).
Expanding Digital Literacy Programs
Scaling up digital literacy programs is essential to equipping rural women with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. Initiatives like the “ICT for Women” program by Savana Signatures have demonstrated the potential of digital training in empowering women (Savana Signatures, 2020). Expanding such programs to cover more districts in the North East Region and focusing on practical skills such as mobile payments, e-commerce, and digital marketing could significantly boost women’s participation in the digital economy.
Promoting Financial Inclusion
Access to affordable credit is crucial for enabling women to invest in digital tools and connectivity. Financial institutions should develop products specifically tailored to digital inclusion, such as micro-loans for smartphones and data packages. Collaborative efforts between banks, microfinance institutions, and NGOs could facilitate financial literacy training, ensuring that women can manage and repay loans effectively (Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, 2021). Such initiatives would empower women economically and enable them to become active participants in the digital economy.
Community-Based Approaches
Overcoming the cultural barriers that limit women’s access to digital tools requires a community-based approach. Engaging traditional leaders and local influencers to advocate for women’s digital inclusion can help shift societal norms. Establishing community centers with internet access, run by trained women, could serve as safe spaces for learning and entrepreneurship. Such centers could also facilitate peer-to-peer learning, enabling women to share knowledge and best practices in using digital platforms for business.
Conclusion
Empowering rural women in the North East Region of Ghana with digital skills and access to technology is not just about achieving gender equality—it is a pathway to broader economic development. Bridging the digital divide requires a comprehensive approach that addresses infrastructural, educational, financial, and cultural barriers. By investing in digital infrastructure, expanding literacy programs, and promoting inclusive financial policies, Ghana can create a more equitable digital economy where no woman is left behind.
By: Thomas Jayen
Development Advocate
North East Region
