Photo: Max Roux for Rural Women Online
As technology becomes more and more enmeshed in our day-to-day lives, the race is on to ensure equality of access. Research shows that certain groups, such as women living in regional and rural areas, are more likely to experience barriers to digital technology, impacting their ability to fully participate in society. Rural Women Online, a digital inclusion initiative by the Victorian Women’s Trust, is stepping up to support regional women to utilise digital devices and spaces with confidence.
From Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August, Rural Women Online will be in Shepparton, northern Victoria, delivering free workshops, talks, and one-on-one tech support at the McIntosh Centre, Shepparton. All sessions have been designed in consultation with women from the region, reflecting their digital learning needs and areas of interest.
Rural Women Online: Greater Shepparton Digital Intensive
All Women. All Tech.
Free Digital Skills Learning for Women in Greater Shepparton
When: 05 – 09 August
Where: The McIntosh Centre, Shepparton
Women are invited to participate in a variety of program offerings, including:
Small, practical sessions on a wide range of digital and technology topics – from identifying and combating scams to marketing your small business. Have your tech questions answered, and learn essential life skills in the process.
One-on-one, free tech support. No need to book, just drop in! This is a space where you can chat with a digital expert to work through a specific technical question or challenge together. BYO phone, tablet, laptop, or whatever device you have. Open 10am-6pm from Mon 5 to Thurs 8 August, and 10am-3pm on Friday 9 August.
The Stands is the place to go if you’re keen to experience some of the incredible things that people are doing with tech. Learn about what’s free, what costs, how to use it, and more importantly, how it can help you. Open 10am-6pm from Mon 5 to Thurs 8 August, and 10am-3pm on Friday 9 August.
On Thursday 8 August, Prof Julian Thomas, a Distinguished Professor at RMIT University and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, will provide a keynote address on digital inclusion as a human right.
Throughout his career, Professor Thomas has focused on exploring how society communicates through digital settings. He has been a Chief Investigator on numerous ARC-funded research projects, including the ongoing development of the Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO), an online archive of policy-related social science research.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your digital skills and join a supportive community of learners. The Rural Women Online Digital Intensive Program will be held at the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton from Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August 2024.
While focusing on the needs and interests of rural women, this event is open to everyone. Women, men and gender-diverse folks are all welcome to attend.
All sessions are free, but bookings are essential. View the full program here.
