In today’s digital economy, technology is driving diversity and fostering inclusive growth. Enterprises and entrepreneurs alike are harnessing purpose-driven technology to empower communities and create a meaningful social impact. Bridging accessibility gaps has opened up new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, individuals with disabilities, and agricultural communities alike.
Creating More Opportunities for Women
Every day, technology empowers people from diverse backgrounds, genders, and ages. However, in various parts of the world, including India, connectivity remains a significant challenge. Initiatives like Google’s “Internet Saathi” strive to address this issue by empowering female ambassadors to train and educate women across 300,000 villages about the benefits of the internet in their daily lives.
Take the story of Rohini Sandeep Shirke, a young entrepreneur who began her beekeeping business in Maharashtra in 2014. Thanks to the internet, she now promotes her products and accepts online orders, significantly increasing her profitability with the help of initiatives like Internet Saathi.
From Abilities to Opportunities
Many leaders leverage technology to address injustices faced by marginalized communities. Carlos Pereira’s journey exemplifies this. Fueled by a passion for empowerment, he created Livox, an app designed to give a voice to his 10-year-old daughter, Clara, who was born with cerebral palsy and is unable to walk or talk.
The app uses algorithms to interpret various motor, cognitive, and visual disorders, employing machine learning to understand and predict user needs. Livox has gained recognition as the Best Inclusion App in the World by the United Nations, allowing children with disabilities to access a more inclusive education. For instance, it enables students to interact with teachers by recognizing spoken questions and providing multiple-choice answers on-screen.
Championing Growth Through Learning
Technologies like Livox are opening doors previously closed to millions facing literacy challenges. UNESCO reports that 781 million adults are illiterate, with two-thirds of them being women.
Entrepreneur Ambarish Mitra developed Blippar, an app that merges augmented reality with voice recognition. This innovative tool helps combat illiteracy by reading printed words and identifying objects within the camera’s view. By demystifying computer science and providing essential skills, initiatives such as the GoIT program, launched in North America in 2009, empower students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Boosting Economic Parity
Technology is also instrumental in creating an “internet of value” for underserved populations. Today, transferring money across the globe is as seamless as sending a photo. Interledger Protocol (ILP) allows developers to facilitate instant payments across various ledgers, potentially connecting billions in impoverished communities to the global economy.
Despite agriculture being the primary source of livelihood for 70% of India’s population, farmers often struggle to utilize advanced agricultural technology. Techwave Solutions aims to address this gap with initiatives like mKRISHI, a mobile app providing tailored information on weather, soil, fertilizers, and pesticides. This app empowers farmers with market intelligence and personalized responses to their queries via images and voice-activated SMS in their local language.
Through technology, farmers transform their operations from relying solely on local knowledge to becoming informed, networked producers. Since 2008, over 400,000 farmers in states like Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have subscribed to mKRISHI services, significantly enhancing their agricultural practices.
Conclusion
Technology is creating a more inclusive world, offering opportunities for women entrepreneurs, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized communities to thrive. It’s turning challenges into opportunities and building bridges across historical divides. Techwave Solutions is proud to be part of this transformative journey, committed to ensuring that technology empowers everyone, fostering a future where every voice matters.
