In a major step towards promoting digital inclusion and economic empowerment, the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and Orange Foundation Sierra Leone have certified over 100 young women at the Women’s Digital and Learning Centre in Kenema and Makeni. The initiative is aimed at equipping women and young girls with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills for career advancement and self-reliance.
The program primarily targets women who have dropped out of school prematurely, offering them a second chance at education and skill acquisition. It also seeks to improve the livelihoods of women living in underprivileged communities by providing them with marketable digital competencies.
During the certification ceremony, NAYCOM Commissioner Ahmed Atata Mansaray Esq. congratulated the graduates on their successful completion of the training. He underscored the initiative’s alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s human capital development agenda, emphasizing its role in empowering women and fostering self-sufficiency.
“This training is designed to equip women with the necessary digital and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their independence and productivity. I encourage all graduates to make full use of this opportunity and apply their newly acquired knowledge to better their lives and communities,” Ahmed Atata Mansaray Esq stated.
He further called on development partners to support the graduates by creating platforms that would allow them to showcase their skills. He also highlighted that the entire training program, from application to graduation, was provided at no cost to the participants.
Sia Margaret Mondeh, Program Manager of the Women’s Digital Centre at Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, encouraged the graduates to put their skills to practical use. She noted that demonstrating their capabilities could open doors to opportunities in the corporate world.
Sia Margaret Mondeh also stressed the importance of continuous practice, urging the graduates to remain diligent and humble as they navigate their professional journeys.
The Women’s Digital and Learning Centre initiative continues to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and fostering economic empowerment among women in Sierra Leone. With continued support from stakeholders, the program aims to expand its reach, impacting more lives across the country.
