Women in Mukono District

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According to the 2020 World Development Report, only 22.8% of Uganda's population aged 15 and above have basic digital skills, which is lower than the average for low-income countries (33.8%). In terms of gender, the digital literacy rate for men (26.6%) is higher than that for women (18.9%).

Digital literacy in Mukono District is still relatively low, particularly in rural areas where access to technology and the internet is limited. According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), as of December 2020, Mukono District had a mobile phone penetration rate of 66.3%, which means that around two-thirds of the population in the district have access to a mobile phone. However, access to other digital devices such as computers and tablets is much lower.

There is still a long way to go to ensure that everyone in Mukono District has the digital literacy skills needed to participate fully in the digital economy. The government of Uganda has partnered with non-governmental organizations and private sector entities, to implement various initiatives designed to improve digital literacy and access to technology in the district. 

We want to promote digital literacy by setting up a community digital Centre, provide training on digital skills, and promote the use of e-learning platforms in schools. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on women's access to technology in Uganda. With the closure of schools and businesses, many women have had to transition to remote work or online learning, which requires access to digital devices and the internet. However, many women in Uganda face significant barriers to accessing technology, including limited financial resources, lack of digital literacy skills, and unequal gender norms that prioritize men's access to technology.

The pandemic has exacerbated these challenges by creating additional economic and social pressures on women, which have made it harder for them to access and use technology effectively. Many women have lost their jobs or businesses, making it difficult for them to afford digital devices and internet access. Others have had to balance remote work with caregiving responsibilities, which has limited their time and energy for learning new digital skills.

Moreover, the pandemic has highlighted the digital gender gap in Uganda, as women are less likely than men to have access to technology and digital literacy skills. This gap has implications for women's economic empowerment, as well as their ability to participate in social and political processes online.

To address these challenges, there is a need for targeted interventions that increase women's access to technology, improve their digital literacy skills, and promote gender equality in technology access and use. This could include initiatives like subsidized internet access, digital skills training for women, and efforts to challenge gender stereotypes and norms that limit women's access to technology.