By Sharon Sitati
In the 21st century, technology has become an integral part of our lives. Digital literacy, defined as the ability to use and navigate digital technologies, has become a crucial life skill. The digital divide is a significant barrier to digital literacy, particularly for adolescent girls and young women in developing countries. The lack of access to digital technologies limits their ability to access information on reproductive health, leaving them vulnerable to misinformation and making informed decisions. This paper aims to explore the importance of digital literacy in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya.
Current Status of Digital Literacy and Access to Digital Technologies
Globally, the access rate to digital literacy stands at 67% for men and about 63 % for women. A study conducted in 2022 shows that in Africa, internet usage rates stand at 34% for females and 45% for men. This means that adolescent girls and young women are at a disadvantage, as they have limited access to technologies and platforms that can provide them with information on reproductive health. This lack of access leaves them unable to make informed decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health. For example, they may choose the wrong contraception method due to limited information on the available forms and their effects. This can result in adverse health effects that could have been avoided if they had the necessary information.
The Role of Digital Literacy in Promoting SRHR
Digital literacy plays a crucial role in promoting SRHR among adolescent girls and young women. According to Susan, an SRHR advocate from Nairobi, digital literacy has helped her to navigate through digital platforms as she searches for information to help her effectively advocate for SRHR. Knowing the right authentic platforms and people to follow to get factual and timely information is significant to avoid being misinformed. Digital literacy empowers young girls and women to access and disseminate information on different SRHR topics. As technology rapidly grows, information becomes readily available to consumers who, on the other hand, demand it instantly to make informed decisions. However, the challenge lies in knowing from whom to consume the information.
Digital literacy will promote safe sexual practices through age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education. Explicit, correct, timely, and age-appropriate information will give young girls and women enough information on how to prevent teenage pregnancy, transmission, and contraction of STIs and HIV among preventive measures for GBV and where to report, how to offer support to survivors and directing survivors to safe houses. Currently, the HIV prevalence among adolescent girls and young women is approximately 29% of all new HIV infections in Kenya are among adolescents and young people. 30% of new HIV infections in adults are among young people below 24 years. Young women aged 15–24 years post the highest number of HIV infections and contribute 21% of all new infections in Kenya. Though the factors of transmission vary, giving adolescent girls and young women digital skills will enlighten them on where to get the SRHR information which will help reduce the number of infections.
When young girls and women can access factual and timely information, less violence can be witnessed as more of them know their rights and speak up against ill practices that target them. This is likely to promote gender-responsive mechanisms that will accelerate the journey towards equality and non-discrimination against one gender. Additionally, this challenges the social norm that limits women in deciding between them.
The Importance of Bridging the Gender Digital Divide
90% of jobs have an online presence, and this calls for more women to take up space in the digital space. However, a study shows only 11% of Kenyan tech companies have female CEOs. This calls for more efforts to bridge the gender digital divide. The government has done a commendable job in investing in the tech field, but the digitalisation journey
Sharion Situate is a youth advocate at NAYA Kenya
