Gender equality in digital competences

<< Background >>As we are immersed in a fully digital society, the need to be equipped with the necessary skills to cope on a daily basis is a must. In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the idea that digital skills are necessary when working remotely. There is, however, a huge gender gap when it comes to digital skills training. This gap is getting bigger every day and hence we need to act and put a solution in place to close it once and for all. The importance of the gender gap in digital skills is an issue addressed in the European Commission's Digital Skills Framework for Citizens, also known as DigComp. Furthermore, UNESCO claims that men are four times more likely to have advanced ICT skills, and women who are in a situation of deprivation, who have been less educated throughout their lives or who live in rural geographic areas are the most lacking in these skills. This information is what has led us to apply to carry out the ‘Gender Equality’ project, in the hope of contributing to an equitable education in digital skills, increasing the employability of our target group such as young women with very basic digital skills, and, ultimately, having an influence on the digital ecosystem by bringing the presence of more women. << Objectives >>As mentioned above, the main objective is the inclusiveness of women in the digital ecosystem by increasing their presence and promoting digital skills among groups of young women with limited digital skills. On the other hand, secondary objectives, or objectives that exist as a result of this main one, are the creation of useful, simple material that provides the necessary knowledge to update the profile of the target group and equip them with the skills required to survive in the digital era; through the practical work and activities included in the project, to get the women participating in the project out of this precarious situation and to ensure that they themselves are able to get a job thanks to their competence; and to ensure that young women have practical experience that they can apply in real and similar contexts when it comes to testing their knowledge in digital issues, thus closing the gender gap a little more. << Implementation >>Project Management: this activity involves the preparation, execution of each aspect of the project, management and tracking the stages of development of the project. This has to be done in order to accomplish the goals in a timely manner and with the budget provided. The development of a methodology about digital competences in relation to equality: this guide includes the result of an analysis about the needs of young women when it comes to digital skills; best practices adapted to different necessities depending on the profile of the student and including competences on basic digital literacy, online safety, and digital creativity. IT Workplace: creation of a curriculum file which includes a compilation of all the necessary digital competences currently needed in order to succeed in the digital era. The practical workshop on digital competences for young women in Spain: this activity entails the use of the methodology previously presented and the engagement of a group of young women who have a lack of digital competences for a total of five days during which the attendees will acquire the knowledge contained in the guide and the curriculum by means of both theory and practice.<< Results >>First and foremost, a good organization and management of the project by the partners was expected, as well as good communication between them at all times and regarding any aspect related to the project, be it administrative or concerning the content of the project's activities. On the other hand, it was expected to obtain a quality material, useful and easy to use by the target group. The second and third activities of the project resulted in a methodology on digital competencies and a guide; two documents to be used by young women in need of knowledge on this digital topic. This methodology or curriculum and the guide are very complete as they take into account the needs of the target group in an attempt to guide women through very detailed information with innovative learning methods and including new tools that are key to obtain a new and digital position.For its part, the fourth expected result of the project consists in the completion of the course by the participants and its satisfactory execution, carrying out all the activities proposed by the trainer and creating useful and quality content in order to demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge exposed during the workshop.