Giving women education, work, the ability to control their own income, inherit and own property, benefits the society. If a woman is empowered, her children and her family will be better off. If families prosper, the village prospers, and eventually so does the whole country.
-Isabel Allende

Women are the foundation of a family, neighborhood, community and country. They are the primary caregiver of a family, with who rests important decision that can impact the well-being of each member of the family. However, despite the power they hold, they are times when they are not able to assert themselves due to lack of confidence which stems from being denied the right to education. History speaks for itself and we know that for the longest times women have been denied the most basic values of human rights including education.

With time the scenario has changed, and today women are being regarded as a formidable force that can make any community stronger and prosper. In last few years the rise in the number of girl student at primary, secondary and tertiary levels indicates towards that change. The Government of many African nations is realizing that investing in education for girls is vital for economic growth and GDP of the nation.

In order to encourage education amongst women the role of ICT or Information & Communication Technology is very crucial. Africa has taken a major leap into the digital age wherein the use of computers, internet and Smartphone’s has grown at an unprecedented rate in a short span of five years. It is a big hope for sustainable development and education. ICT has become an integral part of developmental projects in Africa. It can improve the lives of several women by presenting them with better opportunities in the field of education in the following ways:

• ICT can sensitize and promote education in women, especially in the rural areas.
• ICT can lift the social and cultural barrier that comes in the way of education of women.
• ICT can promote the concept of e-learning and digital education which is the backbone of modern education.
• ICT can connect women in Africa to the ideas, knowledge and experiences from the rest of the world.
• ICT is sustainable, cost effective and perhaps the last hope that can promote education in the real sense.

Besides education, the other sector that ITC touches upon is employment. In many words, education and employment is co-related. The growth in education shall prepare women to take up jobs in the ICT sector. Considering the present scenario, ICT jobs are on top of the chart. To integrate women into this segment, some top brands in the likes of Google, Microsoft etc are working towards creating an environment which is suitable for women. They want to dispense the character of ICT sector which is largely male dominated.

Education, computer literacy and higher employment rate amongst women can only happen if women are empowered and made to feel responsible. Just how ICT has impacted several aspects of modern day living, it cannot remain elusive from women’s education. And this is also the extract premise of mElimu. Driven by the mission to bridge gap in education in Africa, the product is built to make education affordable and accessible for the young population in Africa including girls and women.

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