Advancing Gender Equity in Learning through Digital Approaches in Conflict-Affected Niger and Mali

• In Event: Roundtable Session 3

Group Submission Type: Refereed Roundtable Session

Proposal

Technology's influence on education continues to accelerate, even in regions affected by external challenges such as conflict, insecurity, and global pandemics. Governments and international organizations increasingly recognize the potential of education technology (EdTech) to address the educational needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in low-resource settings. This roundtable will bring together USAID staff working in Niger and Washington, D.C. to present strategies and initiatives designed to integrate EdTech into educational systems, focusing specifically on girls' education in fragile regions. A USAID advisor on education and technology will serve as the discussant, providing insights on the broader implications of these efforts and the evolving role of technology in education.

The session will explore U.S. government-led initiatives, such as the Biden Administration’s Digital Transformation for Africa and the newly published USAID Digital Policy, both of which highlight the importance of digital technology in achieving educational and development goals. These policies are part of a broader global agenda that emphasizes leveraging technology for inclusive, equitable education and closing the digital divide. The U.S. government places significant importance on EdTech, particularly in its intersection with girls' education and distance learning, which has gained renewed relevance in conflict-affected regions such as the Sahel.

The first presentation will provide an overview of U.S. government efforts to integrate digital technology into educational policies and programs. The Biden Administration's Digital Transformation for Africa is a pivotal component, aiming to strengthen digital infrastructure and capacity across the continent. This initiative complements USAID’s broader goals of enhancing education quality and access through technology, particularly in areas where traditional learning systems face significant disruptions due to insecurity, poverty, or crises like COVID-19.

USAID’s Digital Policy, which was recently published, reinforces this commitment by outlining strategic priorities for incorporating digital technology into development programs. This policy supports the use of data, analytics, and digital tools to improve education outcomes and expand access to underserved populations, including girls. One of the key focuses of the policy is the intersection of EdTech with girls’ education, especially in regions like the Sahel, where the barriers to education are particularly pronounced. By leveraging technology, USAID aims to reduce these barriers and create more opportunities for girls to continue their education in challenging circumstances.

The second presentation will focus on the “Resilient Girls” initiative, a project launched in 2023 as part of a partnership between USAID, the UK Embassy, UNICEF, Petit Pouss Foundation, and Niger’s Ministry of Education. The initiative aims to reintegrate 80 girls from precarious situations back into the education system, helping them prepare for the Ministry of Education’s national examinations. These girls, many of whom live in conflict-affected areas, face significant challenges in accessing formal education. The "Resilient Girls" project provides a hybrid learning model, combining face-to-face instruction with online courses.

This presentation will explore how the use of digital technology in the "Resilient Girls" project has enhanced learner autonomy, both in terms of academic achievement and personal development. It will also examine the contributions of technology to creating more inclusive learning environments in conflict-affected areas. The discussion will highlight both the successes and limitations of the initiative, offering key insights into the role of technology in supporting learners' agency in difficult contexts.

The third presentation will focus on broader efforts to integrate digital tools into education for children and youth affected by conflict in Niger. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Niger’s Ministry of Education has intensified efforts to incorporate distance learning into the national education strategy, with strong support from international donors. USAID has been a key partner in these efforts, funding UNICEF’s Distance Learning for Conflict-Affected Youth and Children program. This initiative seeks to provide vulnerable youth with access to education through digital platforms, addressing the challenges faced by students who live in remote or insecure regions of the country.

The sustainability of these initiatives remains a key concern for the government of Niger and its partners. Ensuring the long-term availability of digital tools and maintaining the infrastructure needed to support them will require ongoing investment and collaboration. Additionally, as technology continues to evolve, there is a need for continuous training and capacity-building to ensure that educators and students can adapt to new tools and platforms effectively.

The fourth presentation turns to conflict-affected Mali, still within the Sahelian region and focused upon bringing knowledge and digital skills to the most vulnerable, out-of-school young women and men seeking ways to integrate peacefully and productively in their society. who and will focus on digital and media literacy learning among 15-29 year old young people at risk of engagement in violent extremist groups. The overall role that digital skills development through leveraging private sector and business opportunities alongside an evidence-based digital media approach to combating disinformation will be shared, discussed and debated.

The roundtable will conclude with a discussion led by a USAID advisor on education and technology. The advisor will provide a broader perspective on the implications of these initiatives for global education policy, with a particular focus on how EdTech can be leveraged to support learning in conflict-affected and low-resource settings. The discussant will explore the intersection of technology, education, and policy, offering insights into the future of digital learning and its potential to transform education systems around the world.

Sub Unit

• Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) SIG

Organizer

• Thomas Rosenfeld, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Chair

• semra seifu, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Egypt

Individual Presentations

• Aligning US Interests with West Africa's Future: Presidential Initiatives, Political Dynamics, and the Role of Technology in Education - Thomas Rosenfeld, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

• Leveraging Digital Skills and an Evidence-Based Digital Media Approach to Peacefully Integrate Out-Of-School Women and Men into Malian Society - Wendy Wheaton, USAID