The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) partnered with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) to deliver the first of a series of Feminist Tech Exchange on Digital Storytelling and Content Creation for Women in Politics.
The initiative is part of the APC’s Our Voices, Our Futures (OVOF) project. The project aims tp build the capacities of feminist movements and actors to engage in policy and lawmaking, and advance gender equality to demand their rights.
The first of the intensive one-day training workshops saw
at least 25 women politicians trained in storytelling to increase their political participation through effective digital skills.
The training conducted on September 20, 2020, seeks to empower women in politics to play an active role in politics by encouraging them to utilise the available social media platforms to have an active presence online.
Ms Grace Githaiga, Convenor KICTANet, recognised that women’s political participation is affected by many factors and KICTANet aims to increase women’s participation in all aspects of the political process, using its convening power to bring together diverse groups and perspectives.
The training was a follow-up from the one held on 2nd September 2022, where we trained 29 women who vied for various seats in the 2022 general elections on digital security skills.
From the training, KICTANet not only learnt of the unique online experience these women had but also their lack of content creation skills. Therefore, they are unable to fully utilise the resources and tools available online to generate content to support their online political campaigns.
As part of the women’s digital rights program, KICTANet has developed a series of masterclass resources on online content creation for women.
The content creation guide imparts skills in vlogging, editing and monetizing content on various content creation platforms.
The trainers include Ms Mwende Ngao, Ms Rayhab Gachango and Mr Ali Husein Kassim, Chairperson, KICTANet Board of Trustees.
Ms Mwende and Rayhab focused on how women leaders can identify a niche within the governance processes and the available platforms they can use to tell their stories.
On the other hand, Mr Hussein took the participants on “Managing your brand for your career or business in the digital age”.
Myllene Anunda, one of the participants said, “Ali Hussein, thank you, sir, today you opened my mind and I am sure I am a changed politician now. I am a brand and a serious one. Our lives have gone digital and my ignorance almost killed me. Thanks, KICTANet.”
