Community

AFCHIX Community Networks

AFCHIX has a long history of collaboration with the Internet Society in supporting African girls and women to access the internet and connect the unconnected. At the 3rd Summit on Community Networks in Africa, they collaborated to host the session “Promoting Gender Inclusion for Community Networks in Africa.” AFCHIX has also worked with Internet Society chapters to foster the inclusion of women and access to the internet. Our Groot-Aub Community Network is run and supported by the ISOC Namibia Chapter.

Read more about this partnership to empower women to drive digitalisation in Africa.

A global gender digital divide means that women are still less likely than men to benefit from the internet as they are less likely to gain access to mobile devices, connectivity, or basic digital skills. AFCHIX’s solution to these challenges entails working with unconnected communities to establish community networks. This includes training local women to technically maintain community-based and owned telecommunications infrastructure and to develop business plans to ensure the community networks can be sustained over the longer term. 

The community network model not only provides affordable connectivity to rural communities but also helps to address other challenges that keep the women in these communities from using the internet. Poor literacy levels and a lack of even basic digital skills, such as knowing how to operate a smartphone or computer, mean that many people fail to discover how the internet can add any value to their lives. For women, gender norms around using technology may also mean that they are barred from access to the devices that are available in their households or communities. 

AFCHIX uses the establishment of community networks to roll out digital skills training, foster community engagement and understanding of what using the internet really means and create a safe space for women to engage with technology.

Afchix-community-network-volunteeer-at-work

What is a community network?

Community networks enable communities to connect themselves to the internet when commercial internet service providers do not cover their area or offer connectivity that is too costly. Community networks use new low-cost electronic networking equipment to provide small-scale community-based network services. These networks are owned, managed, and used by local communities and can provide affordable internet access at a fraction of standard commercial prices. 

The power of women-led community networks

AFCHIX believes that women can, and should, be key members of any group driving the establishment and ultimately the sustainability of community networks. When we empower women with information on the power of the internet to change their lives and how they can achieve this via community networks, they can become the best connectivity champions and agents of change.

The empowerment programmes delivered through community networks help women to establish their own businesses, provide important community services, and position these women as role models. This creates entrepreneurial opportunities for rural women to run local internet service providers, work as network engineers, build and grow small businesses, and enhance their digital knowledge and skills.

Read our blog to learn more about the latest activities in AFCHIX’s community networks and to hear the stories of some of the women benefiting from our projects.