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As a volunteer at Prabhati Reach Foundation, I spend time with girls from underprivileged communities who come to our centre every day to learn. They are bright, curious and eager to build a better future for themselves. At the same time, we are living in a world that is changing rapidly because of technology disruptions, like artificial intelligence (AI), digitalization and automation. Many future jobs will require digital skills. If girls from disadvantaged backgrounds do not get access to these skills today, there is a risk of them being left behind tomorrow.
For me, digital inclusion is not only about having access to a computer or the internet. It is also about giving them confidence. Many children in low-income communities are the first in their families to use a computer. When they learn basic digital skills, search for information online or create simple PPT presentations, they start feeling confident of being capable learners and future professionals. Technology becomes a tool that opens doors for them.
This is why the work done at Prabhati Reach Foundation is so important. Along with educational support in English, Social science, Mathematics and Science, our computer literacy programme helps girls become comfortable with technology from a young age. These skills can prepare them for future careers in an increasingly digital world.
Many organizations in India are working towards the same goal. For example, the CSR initiatives of Infosys support digital learning and computer education for students in underserved communities, while the ‘Connect To Learn’ initiative by Ericsson has helped improve access to digital learning and technology-enabled education in schools serving disadvantaged communities. Such efforts show that bridging the digital divide is everyone’s responsibility.
By investing in education and digital skills for children, especially girls, today, we can help ensure that they are not left behind in the age of AI and automation but are instead empowered to participate in the opportunities of the future.
Author - Gargi Chowdhury Bhattacharya
Volunteer – Prabhati Reach Foundation
