Gender and Digital Skills Intervention Outcomes

🌱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮! 📹🌽 What happens when you pour over interview data from smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, and try to ascertain just what is going on in adoption patterns and why, all from a gender perspective? In this research with fantastic co-authors Sophia Friedson-Ridenour, Rachael Pierotti, and Alemgena G, we show how 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 run up against household gender dynamics as people consider adoption and implementation. Here’s the scoop: 🔸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺: "Hidden hunger," caused by micronutrient deficiencies, affects billions globally. Many agricultural interventions focus on productivity, but what about nutrition? And how and why could we improve adoption? 🔸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: Using localized, 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼-𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, farmers receive tailored lessons on agriculture 𝘢𝘯𝘥 nutrition. These videos highlight collaboration between men and women—breaking traditional gender roles. 🔸 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Showing spouses the 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰𝘴 fosters consensus and collaboration. Shared knowledge leads to joint decision-making, easing gender frictions and promoting better household outcomes. 💡 Main Findings (Gender dynamics between couples matter--don't ignore them!): 1. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗽: Women often face challenges being trusted as messengers of agricultural information when they return home after watching a video solo. When both spouses watch the same content, women gain credible entry to conversations about the content, and household discussions become more collaborative. 2. 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀: Videos modeling men participating in household tasks helped shift entrenched gender norms. Women felt empowered by the shared learning (because they wouldn't raise the subject of gender norms on their own), and men were more open to adjusting roles for better outcomes (since it didn't come from their wife). Hmmm, sound familiar? Let’s embrace the power of tech to not just inform, but transform. 🌍✨ Thanks to Digital Green (CC: Jona Repishti, John Collery, and Rikin Gandhi) for creating and running these videos and working with our The World Bank Gender Innovation Lab (GIL) research team! Check out the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gxnrVjB8

🌍 Transforming Education in Nigeria with Generative AI A recent The World Bank blog highlights an innovative pilot programme in Edo State, Nigeria, that used generative AI to support after-school learning. The results are inspiring, demonstrating the potential of AI to improve education outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained settings. 🇳🇬 Key findings from the six-week programme: ✅ Significant improvements in English language skills, digital competencies, and AI knowledge. ✅ Girls, who initially lagged behind boys, showed substantial progress, reducing gender disparities in learning. ✅ Remarkable gains of nearly two years’ worth of learning in just six weeks, exceeding the effectiveness of most other interventions. The programme also highlighted how attendance strongly correlates with learning outcomes. Despite challenges like flooding and after-school work, students who attended more sessions performed better—suggesting even greater potential for long-term implementation. This pilot offers a glimpse into how technology can bridge gaps and create new opportunities for learners everywhere. 💡 As we explore innovative solutions like this, it’s essential to focus on equity, scalability, and the evolving role of educators in this new landscape. What are your thoughts on AI’s potential in transforming education? 🔗 Link to the blog in the comments ⬇️ #Education #SDG4 #TransformingEducation #EdTech #AI

The World Bank published a blog with the preliminary results of an after-school program in Edo, Nigeria that proves how AI-powered technology can transform learning. Using generative AI, students significantly improved their English, AI knowledge, and digital skills in just six weeks—achieving nearly two years’ worth of typical learning. 😮 With tools like Microsoft Copilot, students received personalized tutoring, boosting their performance even beyond the program’s focus areas. Notably, girls—who initially lagged behind—benefited the most, highlighting AI’s potential to bridge gender gaps in education. 🌉 The success of the program was further amplified by consistent attendance, showing that deeper engagement leads to even greater learning gains. These results place the program among the top 20% of educational interventions worldwide, demonstrating the power of AI when thoughtfully implemented with teacher support. 🧑🏫 As Nigeria explores scaling AI in classrooms, Microsoft’s technology continues to play a key role in providing students with the tools they need to succeed, ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all. Learn more here 👉 https://buff.ly/3PLRrs4