HIV/AIDS
Boosting digital competency and online entrepreneurship for marginalized PLHIV in China
To empower low-income PLHIV from the LGBTIQ+ community with digital skills and online entrepreneurship knowledge, the ILO organized a training workshop to bridge the digital divide and foster economic independence.
9 September 2024
BEIJING(ILO News) – Recognizing the significance of China's thriving digital economy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) identified a pressing need to bridge the digital gap for marginalized populations, such as People Living with HIV (PLHIV), who often encounter barriers due to limited resources and inadequate access to technology.
To elevate digital skills and encourage online entrepreneurship among PLHIV, thereby fostering their economic independence, the ILO, in collaboration with the Women's Network against AIDS-China, organized a two-day training workshop for low-income PLHIV belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces from 7 to 9 September 2024 in Chengdu.
"This training has completely changed my perspective. The skills I have learned are highly practical and can be immediately applied to my daily business. I am eager to put these newfound abilities to work, promoting my products online and broadening my customer base." said a cloth store proprietor with great enthusiasm after the training.
Over the course of two days, participants were immersed in a comprehensive learning experience, encompassing foundational digital literacy skills to sophisticated strategies for online branding and e-commerce. The program equipped them with the know-how to establish and maintain an online presence, engage audiences effectively, and navigate the intricacies of e-commerce, thereby transforming their skills into viable sources of income.
This event falls under the umbrella of the Country Envelope Project, titled "Advancing HIV and AIDS Response and Addressing Inequalities in the Workplace," which is part of the UN Joint Program on HIV and AIDS in China.
About the ILO’s HIV Program
Since 2022, the ILO's HIV Program in China has indirectly benefited over 1,500 PLHIV through various training initiatives. This program prioritizes the economic empowerment of vulnerable PLHIV segments, including women, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, and PLHIV with disabilities, and PLHIV who reside in economically disadvantaged regions or low-GDP areas.
The ultimate aspiration transcends mere training; it strives to ignite a chain reaction, where empowered individuals become catalysts for positive change within their communities.