The International Labor Organization’s International Training Center (ITC-ILO) and Microsoft Charity, with support from the ILO’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Program, have launched an online training of lead trainers for the Women Initiative in Digital Business (WIDB). The self-paced training aims to scale up the initiative by strengthening the capacity of selected candidates to mobilize and train additional trainers in their countries and organize trainings with women entrepreneurs. The training, which is currently underway, will run in parallel in English, Spanish and French and is expected to run from June to July 2024.
Participants for the workshop were selected based on a rigorous selection process, with an emphasis on experience training women entrepreneurs and knowledge of digital literacy. Women are encouraged to apply. A total of 163 participants (72% women, 28% men) from 12 countries attended the first session, which was held in English, where they had the opportunity to learn more about the WIDB approach and meet the team.
WIDB training consists of self-guided modules with videos and case studies, as well as interactive webinars run by experts from the WIDB team. The content complements each other and delves into the benefits of digitalization, focusing on developing and implementing a digital transformation strategy, including building an online presence, setting up and promoting online sales, and adapting other business processes.
Once trained on WIDB’s platform and methodology, WIDB’s lead trainers are expected to impart the same training to at least five other trainers and around 30 women entrepreneurs within a year. This approach will enable the expansion of the trainer network and create synergies to help women entrepreneurs acquire the digital skills essential to grow their businesses.
Since 2022, 800 trainers have been trained and have supported over 6,000 women entrepreneurs.
Developing countries have few digital skills programs for women entrepreneurs. We decided to take on this challenge by developing a comprehensive methodology and providing training to our partners around the world to implement it. In this way, we can offer a common, adaptable approach, so that women entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia and Latin America can access the support they need to achieve their goals through digitalization.
Carlo Maria Delù, Project Manager, Women in Digital Business Initiative
Women in Digital BusinessAn initiative by the ILO International Training Centre and Microsoft Philanthropy aims to build the digital bridge. Disparities among women entrepreneurs in developing countries.
