At GoodFX, our mission has always been about creating meaningful impact through financial inclusion. Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of our latest research report, Project Hecuba: A Study of Gender Imbalance in Refugee Digital Inclusion Programmes. This report is the culmination of extensive research into the challenges faced by female refugees in accessing digital education, and we’re eager to share its findings with you.
The story behind Project Hecuba
Named after the Queen of Troy from Greek mythology, Project Hecuba symbolises the resilience and strength of displaced women throughout history. Just as Hecuba’s story reflects the hardships and strength of refugees, this research sheds light on the unique challenges modern-day female refugees face as they seek to access education and professional opportunities in a world dominated by digital skills.
The study focuses on refugee communities in Kenya and investigates why women are consistently underrepresented in digital inclusion programmes. Despite efforts to increase female participation, GoodFX observed that in our first cohort, women made up just 18% of participants. Though this rose to 34% in the second cohort, it’s clear that there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity.
Key findings from the report
The research uncovers several core barriers that limit women’s participation in digital education programmes, including:
Confidence gaps: Women are often less likely to actively participate in digital classes, with many expressing fears of failure and reluctance to speak up.
Societal expectations: Family responsibilities, societal biases, and gender roles often prevent women from dedicating time to educational pursuits.
Access to technology: Women face greater technological illiteracy due to unequal access to digital devices and connectivity, which further restricts their engagement in digital programmes.
Alongside these insights, Project Hecuba offers practical recommendations on how to address these barriers. The report suggests greater flexibility in course delivery, targeted outreach, and providing support for family responsibilities, all of which are critical to enhancing female participation in digital programmes.
A call to action
GoodFX founder Robert Hayward said,
“The findings from Project Hecuba are both enlightening and urgent. Our aim is to build a more inclusive digital future for refugees, and this report sheds light on the critical gender imbalances in access to technology and education. By addressing these imbalances, we can unlock the immense potential that female refugees have to contribute to the global economy.”
Kristy Duncan, Founder of Women in Payments, who provided the foreword for the report, emphasised the broader importance of this work, saying,
“Female refugees have an extraordinary capacity for resilience, and yet they often remain underrepresented in vital educational programmes. I believe this research will drive positive change, creating the opportunities they deserve to thrive in today’s digital world.”
Download the Report
Please share it with others who might benefit from its findings. We hope this research will inspire conversations and actions that will help close the gender gap in digital inclusion programmes and support women’s empowerment globally.
At GoodFX, we believe in the power of collaboration. If you are interested in discussing the report or how these findings might be relevant to your work, please feel free to reach out to us. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that women, especially those from displaced communities, have equal access to the opportunities they deserve.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Let’s make sure that the voices and needs of female refugees are not only heard, but prioritised.
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