DigitHer:LearningWithoutLimits

Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI)

DigitHer:LearningWithoutLimits

Providing underserved school girls with digital tools, life skills, and mentorship to enhance access to inclusive, quality education.

Kaduna, Nigeria

NGA

Nonprofit

In Kaduna State, Nigeria, insecurity—marked by escalating banditry and kidnappings—has severely disrupted girls' education. The 2020 Kaduna State School Census revealed that 25% of adolescent girls had dropped out, with insecurity being a significant factor. A 2024 study further highlights that insecurity has led to a drastic reduction in pupil enrollment across the state. https://nannews.ng/2025/01/02/second-chance-education-for-kaduna-girls-challenges-and-way-forward/ https://msipublishers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MSIJALJ082024-Nov.pdf The threat of abduction has instilled fear among families, leading many to keep their daughters at home. Notably, in March 2024, nearly 300 children were abducted from a school in Chikun Local Government Area. Such incidents have contributed to Nigeria having the world's highest number of out-of-school children, estimated at 10.5 million. Prioritising safe schools; Reuters Our intervention addresses this crisis by providing safe, technology-enabled learning environments, mentorship, and life skills training to empower girls and ensure their continued education despite prevailing security challenges. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738059324002268 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-kidnaps-break-up-families-keep-children-out-school-2024-03-14/

Our solution, DigitHer: Learning Without Limits, provides underserved school girls in insecure communities of Kaduna State with access to safe, technology-supported learning and holistic development. Through the distribution of tablet computers preloaded with offline educational content in core subjects, alongside internet-enabled platforms like Google Classroom, we enable continued learning regardless of school disruptions due to insecurity. In addition to academic support, girls receive training in digital literacy, life skills, climate action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using UNICEF-adapted curricula. Mentorship is a key component, with trained female mentors offering psychosocial support, academic guidance, and confidence-building opportunities. We also involve community stakeholders—schools, ministries, parents—to foster a supportive ecosystem for girls’ education. Group activities like debates, radio advocacy, and team-building exercises are used to build leadership, voice, and agency. The technology is simple but impactful: low-cost tablets, internet access (where available), and user-friendly digital platforms. For communities with limited connectivity, we utilised offline tools and community hubs to ensure no girl is left behind. The previous implementation reached 50 girls across 8 public schools. Our scale-up aims to reach 60 girls in 10 schools, deepening impact and continuity. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjrvmbkDPUQ

Our solution directly serves 60 adolescent girls aged 13–17 from underserved, low-income households in Kaduna State, Nigeria—particularly those attending public secondary schools in communities affected by insecurity, poverty, and social marginalisation. Many of these girls are at high risk of dropping out due to recurring school closures caused by banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats. Others face limited access to technology, digital learning tools, and essential life skills, widening the education gap between them and their peers in safer, more privileged environments. These girls are often underserved due to systemic barriers such as gender norms, economic hardship, and lack of access to safe, continuous learning environments. Our solution addresses their needs by providing digital devices loaded with educational content, facilitating access to virtual classrooms, and delivering training in digital literacy, life skills, and psychosocial support. By equipping them with these tools and mentorship, the solution empowers them to continue learning, develop confidence, and gain skills for their future—even in the face of insecurity. The impact will also extend to over 150 family members and 30 educators through community engagement and improved school support systems.