The development of technology has become an integral part of human life, driven by various factors, one of which is the Covid-19 pandemic that emerged in 2020. This pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology, especially in the VUCA era (volatile, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), where information technology has become a central element in various services, now more inclusive, massive, and accessible.
Cisauk Subdistrict, as part of the development of BSD City into a smart city with its Digital Hub, shows two contrasting faces. On one side, there are advanced higher education and technological facilities, even from foreign universities. However, on the other side, digital literacy, education quality, and welfare in villages such as Cisauk, Cibogo, Suradita, Dangdang, Sampora, and Mekarwangi are still not optimal.
As a response, Dr. Vivi Indra Amelia Nasution, a resident of Cisauk Subdistrict and an academic at Universitas Terbuka, along with her team including Jayanti Armida Sari, S.A.P., MPA. (FHISIP Lecturer), Isnaeni Yuliani, M.Si. (FHISIP Lecturer), Hidayah, S.Pd., M.Pd. (FKIP Lecturer), and Deka Taufiq (FHISIP Staff) conducted a community service program (PkM) in Cisauk Subdistrict on Friday, August 8, 2024, at the Cisauk Subdistrict Office Hall. The event was attended by the Head of Cisauk Subdistrict, H. M. Yusuf Fachroji, S.STP, M.Si, the Chairperson of TP PKK Cisauk Subdistrict, Mrs. Hj. Yayan Supiyanah Yusuf, the Subdistrict Secretary, M. H. Tarlan, the Vice Chairperson of TP PKK, Hj. Maliati Tarlan, and other staff members of Cisauk Subdistrict.
This activity was incorporated into the monthly routine meeting of Pokja II TP. PKK Cisauk Subdistrict, aligned with the PkM theme, which is “Improving Digital Literacy and Education for Women in Cisauk Subdistrict.” The meeting was attended by PKK cadres, Posyandu cadres, and women representatives from Cisauk Urban Village, Cibogo Urban Village, Suradita Urban Village, Dangdang Urban Village, Sampora Urban Village, and Mekarwangi Urban Village.
This initiative is a form of support for digital literacy, especially for women or mothers and teenagers. Mothers, particularly those with school-aged children, and teenage girls in middle school, need basic skills for accessing education, healthcare, and technology-based services required in their daily lives. This is essential to keep up with not only trends in education media itself but also considering their proximity to the BSD Digital Hub development.
The dissemination of information and digital literacy training for women is expected to enhance their abilities in various aspects of life. With better digital literacy, women can more easily access education, healthcare, financial services, public services, and transportation. This will not only improve their quality of life but also contribute to building a more inclusive and competitive society, as explained by Dr. Vivi Indra Amelia Nasution, M.A., the Chairperson of the PkM Team.
This initiative also supports the National Digital Literacy Program, which has been promoted since 2017. The program emphasizes four digital literacy frameworks outlined in the 2021-2024 Digital Literacy Roadmap: Digital Skills, Digital Safety, Digital Ethics, and Digital Culture. These frameworks are further developed into Digital Society, Digital Economy, and Digital Government.
To provide practical examples, Isnaeni Yuliani, M.Si., discussed the use of digital technology for early detection and prevention of stunting. Stunting is a familiar issue among the target audience of this PkM, most of whom are Posyandu cadres in Cisauk Subdistrict. In addition to presenting material on stunting prevention and detection, the PkM team demonstrated how to search, select, and utilize several digital applications available on the Play Store to help monitor child growth and development.
For digital ethics, culture, and security, Jayanti Armida Sari highlighted e-commerce. E-commerce involves offering goods and services online. In this session, material was provided on the benefits of using online markets, online shopping strategies, the risks associated with online transactions, and strategies to ensure data security during online transactions. The PKK team also emphasized the importance of protecting personal data to avoid online crime.
Lastly, Hidayah, S.Pd., M.Pd., concluded the event by presenting recommendations that improving digital literacy requires concrete steps such as building digital infrastructure, developing local applications, collaborating with the private sector, technology-based education, and inclusive government programs to reduce the technology gap between cities and villages bordering the Digital Hub and Smart City BSD.
Improving digital literacy, especially for women in Cisauk Subdistrict, will open new opportunities and strengthen their role in the digital society adjacent to the Digital Hub and Smart City BSD.
