Barefoot Wireless Training in India

Year: 2019

Partner: Common Wealth of Learning (COL)

Supporting Partners: VJMS, Protovillage, GramMarg, BAIF & Janastu

DEF developed the ‘Barefoot Wireless Engineers’ course with support from the Common Wealth of Learning (COL) specifically designed for rural communities or young women to manage and operate these wireless networks and also impart their skills to others, which will create a multiplier and form a pool of wireless trainers. DEF organized Barefoot Wireless Engineer (BWE) deep diving the training on setting up and managing of the wireless network in Wanaparthy (Telegana), Protovillage (Andhra Pradesh) and Pathardi (Maharashtra) regions of the country.

Impact

  • Created a pool of women wireless network to bridge the gender gap in wireless technology
  • More than 60+ young girls and women participated in the Barefoot Wireless training
  • 36 young girls and women are from three locations for receiving complete hands-on wireless networking
  • 5 young girls are selected to not only manage the community networks but also to manage the community radio stations that will be operational soon in two locations –Wanaparthy and Protovillage
Training Locations Wanaparthy, Telegana

Protovillage, Andhra Pradesh

Pathardi, Maharashtra

Supporting Partners VJMS

Protovillage

GramMarg, BAIF & Janastu

Hands-on Training Dates 24th July to 26th July 2019

27th July to 30th July 2019

21st August to 24th August 2019

Training Facilitator Ritu Srivastava; Fauzia Nasim & Arshad Mukhtar
Total number of trainees 66