Empowering Neet Girls Through Digital Skills: The Digitally Intelligent Girls (Di-Girls) Initiative's Potential, Pitfalls and Prospects

Abstract

The Digitally Intelligent-Girls (DI-Girls) initiative aims to empower Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) girls aged 15-24 in Malaysia and three other Asia-Pacific countries by providing digital skills. These girls, primarily from rural and underserved areas, face challenges accessing and utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This paper evaluates the initiative's approach, drawing insights from past studies, and emphasizes its potential to address the socioeconomic challenges these girls face. The initiative employs a mixed-method approach, spanning four phases, to understand and address the complexities of ICT challenges in rural settings. A significant population of NEET girls within the specified age range were engaged, especially during the content creation and pilot testing phase, ensuring a comprehensive representation. These challenges include infrastructural gaps, economic constraints, sociocultural barriers, and digital literacy deficiencies. The initiative's strength lies in its collaboration with local partners, ensuring effective outreach. Beyond bridging the digital divide, the DI-Girls initiative aims for broader impacts: socioeconomic upliftment, reduced youth unemployment, and sustainable development. The program's potential goes beyond mere skill acquisition; it plants the seeds for innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling these girls to become leaders and change-makers in their communities. Their resilience and adaptability, when armed with essential digital tools, can catalyze significant digital advancements. The paper concludes by highlighting the initiative as a model for a digitally inclusive future, emphasizing that collaborative efforts can overcome barriers, making digital empowerment universally accessible.