By Poornima Meegammana

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has the power to transform lives when it is made accessible to everyone. For many girls and young women in rural Sri Lanka, however, opportunities to develop digital skills have traditionally been limited by geography, social expectations and unequal access to technology. Shilpa Sayura has demonstrated that these barriers can be overcome by providing inclusive learning opportunities within local communities.

Through the Shilpa Sayura Youth Development programme, girls were encouraged not only to use technology but also to become confident creators of knowledge and digital content. Training extended beyond basic computer literacy to include creative media, digital communication, problem-solving and leadership. By learning in their own language and within familiar community environments, participants gained confidence to explore new technologies and express their ideas.

The programme recognised that empowering young women requires more than technical training. It created supportive learning environments where participants could collaborate, build friendships, develop leadership skills and gain the confidence to participate actively in their schools and communities. Many participants who had little previous exposure to technology became capable of creating digital content, leading community activities and mentoring younger students.

A key strength of the programme was its community-centred approach. Working through schools, Nenasala telecentres and local partners, Shilpa Sayura ensured that learning opportunities reached young women who might otherwise have been excluded from digital education. Families and communities were able to witness the positive impact that ICT skills could have on education, employment and personal development.

The experience demonstrated that technology can become a powerful tool for gender equality when combined with appropriate mentoring, local-language learning resources and community participation. Rather than treating girls as passive beneficiaries, the programme encouraged them to become innovators, communicators and future leaders capable of contributing to national development.

The success of Shilpa Sayura Youth Development shows that investing in girls’ education creates benefits that extend well beyond individual participants. It strengthens families, inspires communities and contributes to a more inclusive digital society. As Sri Lanka continues its digital transformation, empowering girls and young women through technology remains essential for building an innovative, equitable and knowledge-based future.

Shilpa Sayura continues to demonstrate that when young women are provided with opportunity, encouragement and access to technology, they become agents of change within their communities and role models for future generations.