Are we really creating a digital generation free from exclusion ??

Women Our Roots-AWOR conducted a focus group discussion with 10 girls between the age of 13 and 18 years who are school-going age was to ascertain the effects of digitalization to their learning during the lockdown caused by COVID19 . The theme for International Girl Child 2021 celebration was Digital generation, Our generation.

The girls’ statements:

• Aguti Phoebe Mercy a senior three student of Municipal S.S decried how the digital process has disadvantaged her education. Her school is conducting online classes which requires a smartphone or computer but her mother cannot afford one.  She said sometimes misses lessons and yet she is transitioning to senior four when schools reopen. She added that sometimes, she is forced to borrow smartphones from male friends in her neighborhood who ask for sexual- favors in return as a way of payment which makes it a big obstacle to learning.


• Adong Edith Joanita who is currently in primary seven shared with the group that her elder sister acquired a smartphone but cannot afford to purchase data bundles for internet to attend the ongoing online studies.


• Ameso Teddy a senior one student disclosed that she stays in the village with her grandmother but studies in a nearby town however due to high levels of poverty she has completely failed to attend online studies because she is unable to access/buy a smartphone to attend online classes which she believes has left her lagging behind while other students are studying.


• ‘We don’t want to be left behind, but the new normal seems not to be in favor of us and our future. We need to be supported’. Dorah exclaimed

AWOR has continued to speak out for equality in education for both boys and girls. Much as online classes are ongoing in some schools, the government, NGOs and school management should provide notes/reading material for students who cannot access smartphones to prevent young girls from accepting sexual advances from men in exchange for smartphones to attend online classes.  This is one of the drivers of teenage pregnancies and STIs infections among teenage girls.