5. Discussion: Ways to promote digital inclusion of immigrant women

In the Nordic countries, various initiatives have been implemented to promote the digital inclusion of immigrant women and immigrants in general. These efforts are multifaceted and involve a range of actors, including government policies, integration programmes, municipal efforts, library activities, and the active participation of NGOs. This study focuses on the roles of government policies and NGO activities in promoting digital inclusion.

The digitalisation policies in the Nordic countries address the needs of immigrant women to varying extents. For example, some Norwegian policies specifically identify immigrant women as a vulnerable group at risk of digital exclusion and outline measures to support them, such as mapping digital support providers and tailoring services to improve digital competencies (Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, 2021; Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, 2023a).

More broadly, the Nordic countries have introduced several policies aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and inclusiveness. These policies propose strategies and ways forward to promote digital inclusion of immigrant women, immigrants in general, and digitally vulnerable groups overall, through various methods. Some propose developing user-friendly eIDs for individuals without a national identity number to prevent digital exclusion and ensure access to essential public services (Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, 2019; Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, 2023b).

There is also a focus on investing in digital skills for people with low digital literacy and providing digital assistance and opportunities for digital skills development (Agency for Digital Government, 2023; (Ministry of Digitalisation and Equality, 2023). The policies highlight the importance of designing inclusive solutions, involving citizens early in the design process of a new digital solution and considering accessibility from the planning stage (Finnish Government, 2022; The Danish Agency for Digital Government, Local Government Denmark & Danish Regions, 2024).

Collaborating with civil society organisations and frontline employees can be beneficial, as these have first-hand knowledge of their participants’ challenges and needs, which can enhance the knowledge base (The Danish Agency for Digital Government, Local Government Denmark & Danish Regions, 2024). Offering services in multiple languages is also a key component for inclusiveness (Finnish Government, 2022; Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, 2023a).

These proposed solutions and strategies aim to address digital inclusion from multiple angles to ensure no one is left behind. However, it is argued that there is no single solution (Ministry of Digitalisation and Equality, 2023). Instead, there is a need for a comprehensive approach involving better access and opportunities to help, better access to digital training and a stronger knowledge base about the challenges people face (The Danish Agency for Digital Government, Local Government Denmark & Danish Regions, 2024; Finnish Government, 2022).

Hence, while some policies provide a more targeted approach to the digital inclusion of immigrant women, others address the issue within the broader context of immigrant challenges or digital vulnerability in general. The proposed implications of this ‘common challenges, common solutions policy approach’ include recognising that several sub-groups at risk of digital exclusion face similar challenges. Therefore, the approach encourages the development of more comprehensive solutions that can address multiple issues simultaneously, benefiting a broader range of people. By targeting common and shared challenges, the idea is that resources can be used more efficiently, when efforts are not duplicated across different groups.

It is too early to determine what is more effective: targeted policies which address the specific needs and challenges of particular societal groups, or broader policies which focus on common challenges and the digitally vulnerable as a whole. Targeted policies can provide tailored solutions that directly address the unique barriers faced by specific groups. On the other hand, broader policies can create a more inclusive framework that benefits a wider range of individuals, promoting overall digital inclusion. The effectiveness of these approaches may vary depending on the context, the specific challenges faced by different groups, and the resources available for implementation. Further research and evaluation are needed to assess the long-term outcomes and to identify the most effective strategies for promoting digital inclusion.

The interviewed NGOs support the digital inclusion of immigrant women through various targeted programmes and services. All NGOs interviewed in this study offered some kind of digital skills or literacy course, covering basic to advanced IT skills, such as using computers and accessing and navigating digital services. Most often, these courses are tailored to the participants’ levels and needs (Interviewee 1, 2, 3 & 4). The Swedish NGO shared their experience with programme design and emphasised that creating relevant and effective solutions requires listening to and understanding the specific challenges and requirements of the target group, rather than imposing preconceived notions of their problems. Co-creating the programmes and courses with the participants ensures that the initiatives are truly beneficial and aligned with the participants’ real needs, fostering a sense of ownership and relevance (Interviewee 3).

In addition to these digital literacy courses, some NGOs also offer complementary training programmes, such as those available at the Finnish NGO, which runs employment and education projects to improve women’s employability and educational opportunities (Interviewee 1). Similarly, both the Norwegian and Swedish NGOs provide support and courses on Norwegian/Swedish society and digital skills, recognising that these areas are often interconnected (Interviewee 2 & 4).

Additionally, enabling participation by identifying and addressing hindrances is crucial. For example, the NGOs in Finland and Sweden both provide childcare services during sessions to enable women with young children to participate in courses and activities. The benefits of this approach were expressed by the Finnish NGO representative:

"One of our biggest advantages is really considering who our target group is and what their needs are. In our case, it’s really the childcare. Offering a place for their children while the mothers are attending the digital course was a key factor for the mothers to be able to participate"

(Interviewee 1)

All NGOs underline that offering services in multiple languages is another crucial aspect to ensure inclusiveness and create a supportive environment (Interviewee 1, 2, 3 & 4).

Offering mentorship programmes, networking opportunities, and employing digital ambassadors can create a ripple effect, which reaches a broader audience. For instance, the Swedish NGO’s strategy includes mentorship programmes and networking opportunities, in addition to partnering with tech companies to provide training and job opportunities, thereby bridging the gap between education and employment (Interviewee 3). Conversely, the NGO in Denmark focuses on training local women to become digital ambassadors who, in turn, support their communities. The Danish NGO approach is highly localised, with trained digital ambassadors in various regions offering tailored support to women in their communities. The NGO stressed the benefits of this approach:

"Our digital ambassadors are spread across the country and can assist others with their questions, whether it’s about booking healthcare appointments, explaining eID, or providing guidance and advice on digital habits. Our role is to train our ambassadors so that they, in turn, can support those who need help. This way, we reach more people, creating a ripple effect"

(Interviewee 4)

All interviewed NGOs agree that creating a supportive environment is key to successful participation in their courses. This can be achieved by offering support in multiple languages, but also by forming groups for women of similar backgrounds, fostering a sense of security and belonging (Interviewee 1 & 3). The representatives from the Swedish and Danish NGOs discussed the approach of gender-specific support groups, noting that while these groups focus on similar aspects of community support and digital inclusion, they cater to different target audiences with similar barriers to digital inclusion. It was emphasised that unique dynamics and benefits arise when women meet with other women, and men meet with other men, to discuss their feelings and experiences. This creates safe and open environments, and they noted that mixed groups can sometimes create barriers (Interviewee 3 & 4).

Furthermore, creating engagement through offering further development opportunities keeps participants motivated and invested in their digital education journey. This was emphasised by the Swedish NGO representative:

"We offer IT courses for all levels, from beginners with no prior IT training to those seeking advanced knowledge. In our introductory course, we see that some are satisfied with gaining the basic IT skills needed for their daily tasks. However, others become interested during the course, which leads them to want to learn more, take our more advanced courses, and gradually introduce themselves to the IT industry"

(Interviewee 3)

Hence, when people start learning, it sparks an interest in the digital and IT world, motivating them to further develop their skills. It can be about both up-skilling and re-skilling, as individuals see it as an opportunity to either take on new tasks at their current workplace or change career paths and enter the IT sector.