Enhancing Women’s digital leadership- Nurturing the Next Generation

Last month Raising Teenagers Uganda had the honour of being represented by Ainomugisha Mercy at the #VoteWomen2024 Women Pan African Roundtable, organized by Pollicy, in Dar es Salaam. The event brought together local government women leaders from Tanzania, Uganda, and Senegal beneficiaries of the Vote program.

Enhancing women’s digital leadership is vital as we navigate a world where technology shapes every aspect of life. From accessing finance and mobile banking to e-commerce and global communication, digital tools now empower communities, providing opportunities to overcome geographical and economic limitations. For women in leadership, mastering these technologies is key to inclusive growth and meaningful decision-making in their communities.

The mission of Raising Teenagers Uganda has always been rooted in empowerment sspecifically the empowerment of girls and young women to lead, make informed decisions, and break barriers to success. The goals of the Vote: Women project align closely with our efforts to nurture the next generation of female leaders by fostering digital literacy, equipping them to thrive in the modern world.

At Raising Teenagers Uganda, we have seen first-hand the importance of bridging the digital divide, particularly as young girls encounter the challenges of accessing digital resources. Our initiatives, such as #TeensWithMentors, work on building life skills, leadership, and safe online behaviours, ensuring that young women are prepared for the same digital environments that women leaders in politics must navigate.

The discussions at the #VoteWomen2024 roundtable brought to light key challenges in digital leadership, such as the lack of digital infrastructure, stereotypes, and societal expectations. Similarly, our work engages teens and parents on issues like social media safety, technology’s impact on relationships, and preparing girls to face digital challenges with resilience.

Women must embrace technology to stay relevant. This echoes our own belief that technology, when used creatively, can break barriers for young women in Uganda and across Africa. Whether it is in politics, education, or business, digital tools offer a platform to amplify voices and ensure that women take charge of their futures.

In today’s political sphere, leaders are expected to use online platforms to engage with their audiences, showcase their achievements, and even leverage artificial intelligence to enhance their decision-making. Similarly, at Raising Teenagers Uganda, we encourage girls to use digital platforms for self-expression, education, and entrepreneurship.

The Vote: Women project, which began in 2021, was partly a response to the surge in online harassment of women leaders during Uganda’s 2021 elections. Digital safety is a concern that Raising Teenagers Uganda also tackles as we mentor young girls. Cyberbullying, misinformation, and online harassment remain significant barriers for women both in political leadership and for teenagers navigating social platforms. Both initiatives emphasize creating safe online spaces where women and girls can confidently participate without fear of attack.

Modules in the Vote: Women project include digital safety, content creation, and understanding various audiences—all of which are crucial for women leaders. These are also key areas of focus for Raising Teenagers Uganda as we educate girls on safe online practices and help them become savvy digital users

As women leaders across Africa are urged to embrace technology to advance their political careers, we at Raising Teenagers Uganda know that the journey begins early. By equipping teens with digital skills, self-awareness, and providing platforms for leadership development, we are laying the foundation for future leaders who will thrive in the digital world.

As we continue our mission, we draw strength from initiatives like this and the inspiration it brings to our work with teenagers, ensuring that they, too, are prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow in an increasingly digital world.