Welcome to issue 91 of the Call to Comms!
This week, learn more about digital inclusion for women in vulnerable situations, and about how we involve shelter managers in the Information Diffusion project in Latin America.
Women’s Access to Digital Technology in Madagascar
A few days ago, on March 8th, we marked International Women’s Day. The day is an occasion to highlight women’s achievements, but also the challenges they still face today.
Digital tools can help people access opportunities; but one third of the global population was offline in 2024. In rural Madagascar, only 2,6% of the women have access to the Internet. In the context of our Digital Inclusion project in the country, we have met women in vulnerable situations and discussed what their needs, challenges and hopes are.
Some associate their inability to access digital tools to their illiteracy, and feel excluded from society. Others are forbidden by their husbands to use a mobile phone. But all have hope that digital inclusion could help them access opportunities.
“I'd like to find a source of income from the digital world”, one of the participants told us. I think using a smartphone can [help me to] achieve my goals. But I don't have this tool, which is becoming a hindrance for me.”
Read about how lack of access to digital tools impact women in vulnerable situations, and what solutions could help.
“I want to blossom like everyone else.”
Inès Guittonneau
Involving shelter managers in the Information Diffusion project
People on the move in Latin America need reliable information so that they can make informed decisions and stay safe. Since 2017, TSF has been partnering with shelters along the migration route in Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico to display essential information on topics such as rights, administrative procedures, or mental health.
Shelter managers are an integral part of this project; they know the local context, the needs of the people coming into the shelter, and what information is most relevant to them. To involve them more, TSF set up visits, focus groups to obtain feedback, and a number to have direct contact with the shelter managers.
The goal, in the end, is for shelter managers to play an active role in the mission so that it is adapted to the local context and meet people's humanitarian needs as best as possible.
Emma Dupraz
International Day of Digital Learning
On March 19th, we will mark the International Day of Digital Learning. It was celebrated for the first time in 2024, and this year, it will focus on digital learning in unequal, low-resources contexts.
How can young people access education when they’ve been forced to flee their home to escape violence? Millions are displaced and out of school. For many, digital tools can help access education.
Fully remote, online classes are not sustainable in the long run – children and teens need guidance and teaching support. But it can be an essential way to not fall out of the education system for a few months, before switching to hybrid solutions.
In Ukraine, at first, most classes were fully online; today, many students have gone back to in-person school, but in some shelters, teachers are able to use the Internet to help in class. Parents, like Olga, use it to help their children understand classes.
Inès Guittonneau
In case you missed it: Meet TSF Co-founder, Monique
Discover or rediscover the story of the co-founder of TSF, Monique Lanne-Petit, as she shares her motivations, challenges and experiences. She also reflected on women in NGOs.
“Mixed teams are important to approach women so they will express themselves on their difficulties, their needs.”
Inès Guittonneau
See you in two weeks!
Member discussion