NIIT Foundation, a nonprofit organization working towards literacy, has partnered with YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) at UNICEF to offer digital literacy courses through UNICEF’s Passport 2 Earning (P2E) portal to over 5000 young women. The programme aims to provide skilling to employment pathways to young people, especially women from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and marginalized backgrounds.
The P2E programme, a unique initiative with learners from all states of India, is currently expanding in three districts in Odisha and two districts in Jharkhand. It not only provides skilling but also employment pathways, and placement opportunities after the successful competition of the course. The initiative has so far impacted 5,000 women and girls who now have access to multiple opportunities.
YuWaah is a multi-stakeholder platform that prepares young people to transition from education and learning to productive work and active citizenship. It was formed by UNICEF, with public and private sector partners, UN Agencies, civil society organizations, foundations and young people as the Generation Unlimited (GenU) partnership in India.
Underlining the need for literacy empowerment, Sapna Moudgil, Director, NIIT Foundation, stated:
The transition to the digital world has made data literacy a crucial skill, equipping individuals to navigate the world around them. According to a recent survey, data literacy is predicted to be one of the most in-demand skills by 2030[1], further highlighting its pivotal role. Paired with the fundamental role of education, the NIIT Foundation and YuWaah at UNICEF’s collaboration facilitates us in removing societal and geographical obstacles for female beneficiaries and fostering an inclusive learning environment that caters to all, irrespective of socioeconomic background.
UNICEF, founded in 1947 and operating in 192 countries, is one of the pivotal agents in providing vital aid to children across the globe. The organization’s multifaceted work encompasses a range of crucial initiatives, including immunization and disease prevention programmes, treatment for HIV/AIDS in children and mothers, improved nutrition for mothers and children, sanitation enhancements, educational development programmes, and emergency disaster relief.
Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of YuWaah at UNICEF, added:
Equipping young women, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, with relevant skills to enter the workforce in some capacity is critical. We are delighted to partner with the NIIT Foundation in our endeavour to enable 300 million young people by 2030. Having pathways from skilling to employability empowers young women to have more agency, financial independence, and effective contributions to the country’s economy. This ultimately creates a ripple effect and is critical to the country’s overall growth.
Set up by the promoters of NIIT in 2004, the foundation aims to positively impact the underprivileged of the country through educational initiatives and skill development programmes. The organization has been delivering projects ranging from customized CSR activities, school programmes, college collaborations, community initiatives, career and skill development courses, digital literacy and financial literacy programmes.
