5 ways online learning is playing a crucial role in empowering women
Online learning is leveling the playing field for women by connecting them to fast-growing opportunities and better prospects. Here are some of the ways online learning helps in empowering women.
By India Today Education Desk: In the last few decades, countries across the world have initiated significant measures to address gender inequality, increasing women’s participation in education and employment. However, progress toward gender parity has slowed globally, due to complex crises, including the pandemic.
But how do we close the gap? Online education is a good place to start. Equitable access to learning opportunities and flexible work not only helps address the challenge of growing skills but also promotes positive career outcomes for women.
Online learning is narrowing gender education gaps and preparing women for in-demand jobs in the digital economy by removing barriers, improving gender inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, connecting them to rising skills and job opportunities, and motivating them to explore interests without limits.
Here are some of the top 5 ways shared by Betty Vandenbosch, Senior Advisor, Coursera, which showcased that online has played a crucial role in empowering women.
1. BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Women who struggle to access traditional educational institutions – often because of caregiving responsibilities – can achieve the education required to upskill themselves and enter high-demand, high-paying careers through online learning. The flexibility, affordability, and safety that online education provides have the potential to break down barriers that have historically disadvantaged women.
2. PROMOTING GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN STEM FIELDS
Despite an increase in women enrolling and graduating from tertiary education programs worldwide over the past five years. Women still face disadvantages, especially in ICT and engineering, and are underrepresented in STEM fields crucial for the growing technology and digital job sectors.
It is encouraging to see women across the world, and in India, embracing online learning to develop these in-demand digital skills that can help accelerate their return to work and promote economic mobility. Four out of the top five skills for women learners in India are STEM skills, such as computer programming, machine learning, probability and statistics, and theoretical computer science.
3. SUPPORTING WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JOBS OF THE FUTURE
Online learning is opening up new avenues to connect women to the jobs of the future through flexible, affordable, and fast-tracked learning and career pathways. Entry-level professional certificates are curated by industry leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta to prepare learners for a wide range of high-growth entry-level careers, like Data Analyst, UX Designer, Application Developer, and Social Media Marketer, among others. Each certificate is designed for learners without prior industry experience to complete in 6 to 8 months on average (3-10 hours per week), fully online.
4. EXPANDS HORIZONS
This freedom to explore various interests is a valued benefit of online education, motivating learners to complete the courses they finally choose. Flexibility is a top priority for women learners specifically and is critical to keeping them in the education system. The range, cost, and accessibility of online courses also encourage more women to try new fields without a long-time commitment and heavy financial burden.
5. IMPROVING GENDER EQUALITY IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Raising a family gives women many of the professional skills employers are looking for, like problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, teamwork, and project management. By building technical skills online that complement professional skills, women will be well-positioned to take on new and expanded roles in the modern workforce.
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