EmpowerHER with Tech: Equipping Women for the Future of Work

Advancing Digital Skills, Leadership, and Economic Empowerment for Women in Sierra Leone

Sponsored By: YES Alumni Grants Program | U.S. Department of State | American Councils for International Education | Aion Health SL

Date of Implementation: September 13 – October 27, 2024

The EmpowerHER with Tech Program, implemented by Aion Health SL on September 13, 2024, addresses the persistent gender gap in access to digital skills, education, and economic opportunities for women in Sierra Leone (problem). Led by Abubakarr Sidique Konneh and supported by the YES Alumni Grants Program, the initiative equips 50 underserved women in Bo with practical skills in project management, entrepreneurship, grant writing, business planning, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence (solution). The program’s theory of change is that when women are equipped with relevant digital and professional skills, they gain the confidence and capacity to participate in the workforce, lead innovations, and drive community development. Using a methodology centered on hands-on training, mentorship, simulations, and peer learning—delivered over a one-month period (September 27–October 27, 2024) at KonFam Garage—the program ensures both practical application and long-term capacity building.

Its impact includes training 50 women selected from over 300 applicants, increasing digital literacy, enabling participants to launch small businesses, apply for jobs, and develop grant proposals, while fostering a strong network of emerging female leaders. Resources provided through sponsorship included training materials, laptops and digital tools, facilitation by expert trainers, mentorship support, and program logistics. As one participant shared, “This program has given me the confidence to use technology, start my own business, and believe in my future.” Overall, EmpowerHER with Tech demonstrates how targeted investment in women’s skills and leadership can accelerate gender equality, economic empowerment, and inclusive development in Sierra Leone.

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Aion Health is a Sierra Leonean non-profit focused on improving health, education, and research to reduce maternal and infant deaths. It delivers free healthcare, medications, and education through mobile clinics to underserved communities, while prioritizing maternal health, disease prevention, WASH, and community awareness.

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