Seeking Refuge Under Digital Literacy

While some parts of the world complain about being spoiled for choice, it is heartening to see some other parts struggling to find a voice in a choiceless environment. Unfortunately, even the 21st century does not allow one to consider the availability of some of the basic human needs and rights granted let alone stand with a belief that they, like any other human being, deserve such basic attention. One such basic right is the Right to Education which has been sullied under the stain of gender discrimination in Afghanistan. Many women refugees have fled in search of a better future and some have found refuge in Afghan refugee centers in Jangpura, Delhi. At their CIRC (Community Information Resource Centre), a community mobilization session was conducted under Digital Literacy for Women and Girls Program, an initiative by Microsoft and Digital Empowerment Foundation engaging the women and girls of the refugee community. The objective of the session was to create awareness among the members of the community about the importance of digital literacy and its impact on education. Around 20-25 participants between the age group of 10 to 34 years old took part in the session. 

The CIRC has been actively engaged with the female students where a good progress and improvement on the part of the students has been observed. They have been learning to use a computer, the internet, process of copying and printing and digital awareness under the umbrella of community mobilization to push the Digital Literacy Program’s reach to its optimal mark.

A 14-year-old student at the centre, Nayab Hamdard shared, “I am a student in this centre and have seen good progress in the part of female students who are learning computers. These females left Afghanistan with their families a few years back for a better future. Under the CIRC program I have learnt many things about technology in the last few months. I wish that this program will continue going on in our centre so that girls and women of our community will be benefitted.” 

The Anjam Afghan Refugee Center is very pleased with Microsoft’s digital services for female students, all of whom are Afghan immigrants using digital services for the first time, as no organization in India has worked for immigrant youth education. They are grateful that for the first time they have received help of this kind from the DEF and Microsoft.