CARE has designed an end-to-end Digital CARE Package that combines a suite of proven and high-potential interventions with the economies of scale represented by VSLAs to elevate women’s digital inclusion. The VSLA Digital CARE Package (DCP) will deliver pre-loaded smartphones to Voluntary Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) alongside digital skills building and interventions that engage men and boys to shift restrictive gender norms. The approach will be adapted based on group characteristics and needs. In Rwanda, the program started implementation in May 2022.
The baseline survey employed quantitative survey approach using individual questionnaire. The study sample was 300 VSLA members selected from of 50 VSLAs of which 20 VSLAs from those using Chomoka and 30 from VSLA supported by Gender and Women Economic Empowermnt Program (GEWEP III) and DEAL projects in 3 districts of Nyanza, Huye and Ruhango, all in the southern province of Rwanda. Both purposive and random sampling techniques were used to allow each VSLA member to have the same probability of being chosen at any stage during the sampling process but also have women and members in management committee represented. In total, 291 respondents were interviewed (74% female and 26% male)