SARDI is working to improve digital connectivity in the South Asia region, strengthen the private sector and civil society’s digital capacity, and improve their ability to engage on ICT policy issues. SARDI does this by increasing public awareness of digital safety issues, providing digital and cybersecurity upskilling support, and facilitating opportunities to engage on digital policy issues in ways that are meaningful to our target audiences.

SARDI also works closely with the private sector to leverage their catalytic role in bridging the gender digital divide, a significant barrier that prevents women from accessing life-enhancing services for education, health, and financial inclusion. These efforts work to enhance the enabling environment for the digital economy and support economic development in the region while improving the socio-economic status of women.

SARDI is part of the larger DCCP whole-of-government initiative that was launched in July 2018 and works to build partners’ cybersecurity capacity to address shared threats through engagement with the private sector, government, and civil society. It is a priority of the U.S. Government to promote an open, interoperable, inclusive, reliable, and secure internet. Through DCCP, USAID is implementing activities in 20 countries across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America to expand opportunities for U.S. technology exp