Over the past year, our nonprofit organization has implemented a strategic initiative to combat school-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in rural community schools in the Volta Region of Ghana. The project is aimed at empowering school girls with essential ICT skills, thereby enhancing their ability to report SGBV safely and effectively. Through the distribution of computers and laptops, coupled with comprehensive ICT training, the initiative sought to bridge the digital divide and provide a robust toolset for addressing SGBV in these underserved areas.

The project has successfully distributed over 200 computers and laptops to five(5) rural community schools in the Volta Region namely Ho, Ziavi-Lume, Adigbo Tornu, Ve-Deme, and Abutia-Teti, . Each school received an average of 10-16 devices, ensuring that students, particularly girls, have regular access to digital technology.

Over 1,800 school girls participated in training sessions on basic computer skills, including operating systems, word processing, and data entry. This foundational knowledge has equipped them with the confidence and ability to use digital tools effectively. Teachers and local volunteers were also trained to support the ongoing education of students, ensuring that the skills learned are reinforced and expanded upon in daily school activities.

With the ICT skills gained, students have been empowered to report SGBV incidents through digital means. The use of email and messaging apps has provided a safe, anonymous way for girls to communicate with school authorities, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies.

By providing the tools and education needed to report SGBV safely and effectively, the project has empowered students, raised awareness, and fostered a culture of digital literacy and safety. The success of this initiative demonstrates the critical role that digital technology can play in addressing social issues in underserved regions and offers a model for future projects aimed at combating SGBV.