“I knew nothing about a computer or how to switch it on but after attending the training, I can now switch on a computer”

19-year-old Mercy Beyan from Bong County in the north-central part of Liberia is a graduate of the digital literacy skills training program facilitated by UN Women in collaboration with Orange Foundation. She is one of 45 young women who graduated from the Totota Women's Digital Centre on 30 March 2023 after completing a six-month digital literacy training program. 

The graduation ceremony was held as part of the women’s month celebrations which were held under the global theme, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality’ and the national theme, ‘Innovating with technology to promote gender equality.’

“I knew nothing about a computer or how to switch it on. But now, after attending the training, I can now switch on a computer. I didn’t know the different types of computers. I now know about laptops, tablets and desktops and the different parts of a computer, which are mouse, monitor, keyboard and central processing unit.

I encountered some challenges when I first started the training. Everything was so confusing, but now I understand. 

I joined the digital literacy program because I realised that everything in the world is about technology. I want to continue attending digital literacy classes to improve my skills. 

I encourage other girls to leave the streets and come and learn about technology because it is something that will benefit them in the future. Learning about technology is important because even the phone we are using is technology. Learning to use technology can help one to get a job or to start a business.

I would like to thank UN Women and Orange Foundation for introducing this program.
I appeal to them to continue supporting us so that we do not just graduate and sit. We want to do business and sustain ourselves. Life is tough.”

UN Women is partnering with the Orange Foundation and the Government of Liberia to economically empower women through digital innovations and technology to promote gender equality.