Rural Women Online
Make digital learningInviting. Practical. Fun.And women thrive.
For too long, technology has been perceived as not being for women. But it is for us. It is essential to our meaningful participation in modern society. When digital technology is presented as something that is for us, that benefits us, that is helpful, efficient, creative and even enjoyable – when technology includes us, we use it.
Why digital inclusion?
Closing the Gap
Rural Women Online 2022 was developed as the growing gap in the digital divide continues to disadvantage women who reside in regional, rural and remote Victoria.Participation & Opportunity
Digital literacy, the skills and competencies that are required to use digital technologies, are vital for women to fully participate in and take up opportunities on offer in today’s society.Equity for All
Digital skills enable women to gain better outcomes across employment, health, training and education, and disaster recovery, whilst also providing life affirming community and familial connections. Digital inclusion is an equity issue.
Past Programs
The first phase of Rural Women Online was centred around individual mentorship and support for regional, rural and remote Victorian women. Rural Women Online Open Days ran in 12 rural locations from July to October 2022, including 4 bushfire affected communities.
A human-staffed help desk ran weekly on Wednesdays from 4-7pm. Women were able to call for assistance with specific technical issues from the comfort of their own home or workplace. Women were also offered the opportunity to be mentored by a tech savvy woman who provided up-to 30 hours of free guidance and individualised technical support. Two digital resources – the Keep Safe Online eSafety course and a series of handy How-To Guides – were developed to assist women pursuing their own digital learning. These resources are freely available for all to use.
In 2024, we delivered two, hands-on, digital intensives for women in Greater Shepparton and North East Victoria.
We conducted a community engagement prior to the intensives to determine the needs of the local community. We listened to these stakeholders and designed a week-long digital intensive that had over 40 breakout sessions, a helpdesk, local stands with service providers, and a keynote address. We covered themes such as; eSafety for individuals and families, enjoying technology, disaster preparedness, women in business and even had a silent disco! Now this website is a digital hub for women to continue their digital journey.
Committed to impact with the ADM+S.
The program evaluation and research partner is RMIT University through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society (ADM+S). Led by Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas with Dr Jenny Kennedy and Kieran Hegarty, the ADM+S research team is conducting an evaluation of the impact of Rural Women Online.
Our Values
Integrity
We foster honest, authentic, open, transparent communication, and are accountable to the team, to participants, stakeholders and all others connected to the project as it unfolds.
We foster honest, authentic, open, transparent communication, and are accountable to the team, to participants, stakeholders and all others connected to the project as it unfolds.
Kindness
We are sensitive to different backgrounds and expectations, conducting ourselves with civility in everything we do.
We are sensitive to different backgrounds and expectations, conducting ourselves with civility in everything we do.
Fun and Adventure
We bring fun and enjoyment and a sense of adventure to the project and its promise.
We bring fun and enjoyment and a sense of adventure to the project and its promise.
High quality endeavour
We listen well and aim to exceed expectations. We seek to create ways for people to move forward to achieve great outcomes through clarity in all our communications.
We listen well and aim to exceed expectations. We seek to create ways for people to move forward to achieve great outcomes through clarity in all our communications.
Fairness
We are sensitive to inequity. We grapple with issues of affordability and access and advocate for these wherever possible.
We are sensitive to inequity. We grapple with issues of affordability and access and advocate for these wherever possible.
Realism
We are realistic in our offerings so that people’s expectations can be met and not crushed, working within budget constraints and not exploiting people’s time and efforts.
We are realistic in our offerings so that people’s expectations can be met and not crushed, working within budget constraints and not exploiting people’s time and efforts.
Inclusion
We actively strive to be as inclusive as possible and non-judgemental.
We actively strive to be as inclusive as possible and non-judgemental.
Respect
We practice respect and look for the best in everyone.
We practice respect and look for the best in everyone.
Exemplary Feminism
We strive to be exemplary in our feminist values and practices e.g., Men as allies, collaborative and committed to creating better outcomes for rural women.
We strive to be exemplary in our feminist values and practices e.g., Men as allies, collaborative and committed to creating better outcomes for rural women.
Encourage Opportunities
We create and encourage opportunities for rural women wherever possible. We work to enhance rural women’s IT access.
We create and encourage opportunities for rural women wherever possible. We work to enhance rural women’s IT access.
Our team
Alana Johnson AM
Project Director
Chair, Victorian Women’s Trust
Mary Crooks AO
Project Director
Executive Director, Victorian Women’s Trust
Jess Dugdale-Walker
Senior Project Officer
Rural Women Online
Established in 1985 the Victorian Women’s Trust (VWT) is a proudly independent feminist organisation.
We support women, girls and gender diverse people to thrive. We create social change projects and campaigns; conduct research on the issues affecting our communities; run thought-provoking events; provide mentorship opportunities; and give grants to vital grassroots projects.
VWT is 100% powered by donations from people in the community who share our vision for an equal future for all.
Our partners
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