As part of the EquipHer initiative, the Tech Herfrica team, with the invaluable support and sponsorship of Afriex, returned to the vibrant Abakpa community market to empower and equip female traders with smartphones.
The event kicked off promptly at 10 am with a crucial data collection process, laying the groundwork for a successful training session. Once the necessary information was gathered, the next step involved distributing smartphones to ten female traders who had been carefully selected to participate in the program.
During the training session, the participants were guided through a comprehensive series of activities, breaking down the process of utilizing their smartphones into easily manageable points. The facilitators ensured that the women felt comfortable and confident in navigating their devices, empowering them to take full advantage of the digital tools at their disposal. The following activities were covered:
- Device Setup: The trainers demonstrated how to power on the smartphones and provided step-by-step instructions on how to set up essential features.
- SIM Card Insertion: The participants learned how to properly insert their SIM cards, enabling them to make calls, send messages, and access mobile data.
- Data Subscription Activation: The trainers guided the women through the process of activating data subscriptions, allowing them to connect to the internet and explore a wealth of online resources.
- Account Creation: The participants were introduced to various online platforms and taught how to create accounts on popular services such as Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
- App Downloading: The trainers explained how to browse and download applications from the App Store, empowering the women to explore a vast array of productivity, communication, and financial tools.
- Contact Management: The participants were taught how to save and organize contacts on their smartphones, enabling them to easily reach out to fellow traders, customers, and potential business partners.
- WhatsApp Messaging: The trainers demonstrated how to use WhatsApp, allowing the women to send and receive messages, share images, and stay connected with their peers.
- WhatsApp Status Updates: The participants were taught how to upload status updates on WhatsApp, to showcase their products, promotions, or any other updates related to their businesses.
Throughout the training session, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and eagerness as the women actively participated and absorbed the knowledge imparted to them.
Impact Recorded:
- Smartphone Ownership: Prior to the training, none of the ten women owned smartphones. However, after the training, they were all equipped with their very own smartphones, providing them with a valuable digital asset.
- Technological Proficiency: Initially, the women lacked familiarity with smartphones and their functionalities. Through the training, they gained essential skills and technical know-how, enabling them to confidently navigate their devices and harness their full potential.
- E-commerce Empowerment: The women had never explored the possibilities of using e-commerce to boost their business income. Following the training, they acquired the knowledge and expertise to leverage e-commerce platforms effectively, unlocking new avenues for business growth and increased revenue.
- Access to Financial Services: The training enlightened the participants about crucial financial services such as loans, credits, micro pension plans, and health insurance. Now equipped with this knowledge, they have the ability to access and leverage these services to improve their financial well-being and protect their income.
- Enhanced Customer Engagement: By embracing smartphones, the women gained a powerful tool to connect with a broader customer base. Through platforms like WhatsApp, they learned how to communicate, share updates, and engage with their customers more effectively, fostering stronger relationships and customer loyalty.
The impact recorded showcases a remarkable transformation for these women, transitioning from a state of smartphone deprivation and limited technological knowledge to becoming empowered individuals with their own smartphones, digital literacy, and the ability to utilize e-commerce and financial services for their business growth and improved livelihoods.