IDP Women Recieve Smartphones And ICT Training In Abuja

By Pamela Ephraim

Women at Durumi IDP Camp in Abuja received smartphones and training on digital marketing as two NGOs collaborate to use e-commerce as a solution to enhance income generation for displaced craftswomen.

On Thursday October 27, Techfugees along with its partner, The Skilled Women Initiative (TSWINI) a non-profit organisation promoting entrepreneurship among women living in Internally Displaced Persons’camps trained 10 women on digital marketing. The IDP women present at the digital training had previously undergone a 24 months training programme in different areas like tailoring, baking, soap making among others. Co-lead of Techfugees Nigeria, Brian Oyewole noted that despite the skills acquired, the living standards within the camps had not improved because nobody patronised their businesses as people would not normally think of shopping at the IDP camps and their fellow camp residents would rather eat than shop anything non-essential. According to him, Techfugees aimed at empowering these women with technology. “Tech may not be so popular within the camps but with handicraft skills, technology will help provide a market and bring about solutions for better living.” Android smartphones were given to the IDP women trained by TSWINI while both NGOs trained the women on digital marketing skills using Whatsapp business applications to showcase and sell their crafts online. Oyewole said, “We created email addresses for them to set up play store, taught them how to download whatsapp business application, establish their online store and advertise their products with prices displayed. The women could instantly see their contacts. I advised them to share their whatsapp contacts with those who visit their camps in order to keep advertising their businesses on the app. We will keep checking on them and monitoring their progress.” Hafsat Ahmed, one of the beneficiaries of the training said she was skilled at making traditional caps in the north east before her displacement. Through the training she acquired tailoring and soap making skills. She hopes to generate enough income online to sustain herself and boost her business.

This article was originally published on Naija News