Goa Empowers Rural Women with Digital Literacy Push
New scheme teaches rural women smartphone and internet skills.
In a major initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and promoting women's empowerment, the Goa government has launched a comprehensive digital literacy programme specifically targeting rural women. Titled the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana, the scheme was formally unveiled on Thursday by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and IT Minister Rohan Khaunte at the PAC Hall Secretariat in Porvorim.
The programme is designed to train women in rural parts of the state on using smartphones, accessing online platforms, and navigating essential digital services, including those offered by the government. “Through this scheme, we are taking digital literacy directly to women in villages, giving them the skills and confidence to fully participate in today’s tech-driven world,” said CM Sawant. The initiative is open to Goan women aged 18 and above who have resided in the state for at least 15 years.
Training will be delivered through empanelled IT knowledge centres (ITKCs), common service centres (CSCs), and village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs). Sessions will take place in accessible community locations like panchayat halls, schools, and other public spaces. Each participant will receive Rs 500 worth of training support, with 80% of that allocated to the local training provider and 20% to the Department of Information Technology. An additional Rs 100 per person will be allotted to cover infrastructure costs for sessions held at public venues.
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Implemented by the Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd, the scheme will remain active for three years from the date of notification. Minister Khaunte emphasized that this initiative aligns with the broader national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, by equipping women with the digital skills necessary to access opportunities, generate income, and actively engage in the growing digital economy.
This targeted intervention is expected to transform the lives of thousands of rural women in Goa, helping them become digitally self-reliant, informed citizens who can leverage technology for personal, social, and economic growth.
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