Using Digital Technologies to Empower Youth – Ethiopia

By Dr. Michael Boampong, Senior Youth Advisor, ChildFund International

In today’s highly interconnected world, young people are eager to use the digital tools that are everywhere in the world. But children and young people growing up in low-resource countries have limited access to these tools, which they can use meaningfully to build the future they dream of.

With digitalization being a key driver of young people’s ability to succeed in life, ChildFund International engages young people in digital spaces and tools to promote their empowerment, employability, entrepreneurship, protection from online exploitation, and more. Here are five key initiatives.

1. Empowering young women in Ethiopia through digital savings

In Ethiopia, the Jamii.one application has emerged as a transformative digital savings and credit platform, accessible directly from individual smartphones. This initiative is particularly beneficial for young women organized in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) supported by ChildFund and its local partner organizations.

Designed to be user-friendly, even for illiterate users, the app sends SMS messages with updates on savings and credit amounts, promoting trust and transparency among VSLA members. It also facilitates connections with microfinance institutions, enabling access to loans without collateral. By providing women with a way to increase their savings and rely less on external support, the initiative helps women empower themselves for financial independence. The initiative is supported by microfinance institutions and banks.

2. Amplifying the Voice of Young People in Ecuador with Online Radio

In Ecuador, youth are driving online radio programming through an innovative initiative led by two of our implementing partner organizations. The initiative is part of the PACT program model, which promotes youth leadership.

To create the episodes, adolescents organize and stream interviews that address critical issues such as sexual and reproductive rights, mental health, violence, and future aspirations. The youth structure these programs like traditional radio shows, including script preparation, interviewee selection, and logistical coordination. In the past year alone, the shows have reached an estimated 7,000 monthly Facebook impressions, and the initiative has expanded to other youth groups.

3. Bridging the digital divide for Mexican youth

In Mexico, the digital divide is a major challenge for young people, especially young women in rural and indigenous areas, and limits their access to education and employment. To address this, ChildFund International, in partnership with UNICEF, launched the Be Digital Safely program to help adolescents and young people aged 12 to 20 in Chiapas and Oaxaca develop essential digital, safety and online citizenship skills to increase their employability.

Over the past year, 1,248 participants have completed the program’s Technological Skills at Work module, with 86% reporting improved skills in managing and developing digital content. One youth leadership and entrepreneurship project in Oaxaca provided 74 participants with seed capital, who gained valuable knowledge in digital marketing and online sales strategies. These interventions contribute significantly to the academic, professional, and social development of participants.

4. Improving health education for adolescents in India with the Chulbuli app

In the Indian state of Telangana, ChildFund has taken a major step towards improving adolescent reproductive and sexual health by developing the Chulbuli app. This innovative digital platform is designed for adolescents, peer educators, counselors, schoolmasters and parents, in line with government programs for school health and reproductive sexual health. The app contains eight comprehensive modules covering various aspects of sexual and reproductive health, making crucial information easily accessible.

The Chulbuli app was launched at a state-level event in March 2024, with the participation of over 50 stakeholders, including representatives from the government, local NGOs and the Ministry of Health. After its launch, the app quickly gained a lot of attention, with over 4,886 views and 314 new users by May 2024. Users have shown strong engagement, with 981 sessions and an average of 3.12 engaged sessions per user. ChildFund has conducted in-depth training sessions for peer educators, teachers and facilitators to ensure effective implementation.

5. Protecting youth from online exploitation

With the continued expansion of internet access, many young people have experienced the numerous benefits of digital tools and spaces, including greater access to educational, recreational, and social opportunities. However, along with these many benefits, there are also potential risks such as online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEAC), cyberbullying, and other forms of online abuse.

In response, ChildFund has developed strategic partnerships with leaders in the field and integrated child online safety into our programmatic and advocacy efforts, including:

• the development of OSEAC prevention programs in Kenya, Mexico, Indonesia and Bolivia;
• the launch of impactful public awareness and advocacy campaigns in the US, the Philippines, Brazil and Ecuador; and
• successful advocacy for stronger online safety legislation in the US, Guatemala, the Philippines and Kenya, and for the African Union to include OSEAC as a key part of its child protection strategy.

With these efforts, we emphasize the importance of peer-to-peer learning and put the voices of children and young people at the center to ensure that these solutions connect with everyday realities.

Promoting digital inclusion

With these important investments, we want to ensure the next generation has access to digital tools and is protected online. We work with young people and local authorities to create an enabling environment that develops and supports their resources, agency, access to services and opportunities, so they can thrive both offline and online.

These initiatives demonstrate that young people are committed to tackling the unique challenges they face today, from achieving financial independence and improving their leadership skills to developing essential digital skills and ensuring their safety and wellbeing in online environments.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, young people must be at the heart of this transformation. By increasing their access to the tools, knowledge and opportunities they need, we help ensure that they are not just participants but leaders in shaping their futures to achieve their educational and employment aspirations.

With 230 million digital jobs expected to emerge in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, it is important to continue investing in relevant tech and life skills for youth, especially girls and young women, who are particularly disadvantaged. Research shows that 9 out of 10 adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries worldwide are offline.

This work is about more than just technology — it’s about equality, empowerment, and equipping young people with the tools to build the lives and communities they envision. And it’s essential to continue closing the digital divide and supporting diverse young people to realize their full potential, both online and offline.

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Mark Anthony Dasco, Danielle Lilly, Nestor Silverio, Morgane Bellion, Admassu Wondafrash, Lilly Omondi, and Manjunatha HT.