Bringing lose sheep into the fold: redesigning Women-In-Tech (WIT) app for women of three age groups

The pandemic limits inter-personal communication and eliminates jobs in the real economy such as hospitality and travel industry. On the contrary, digital technology, especially mobile internet emerges and creates many new online opportunities. This paradigm shift makes it necessary to learn mobile technology and new skills online. This paper explores the digital engagement and psychological empowerment for learning and upskilling with mobile technology among older Malaysian women who are less digitally connected. This research focuses on understanding Malaysia older women’s motivation, familiarity and use frequency in mobile technology. Through purposive sampling, 86 older women from rural and urban areas in Malaysia participated in a survey. The study highlights the shared enthusiasm for skill acquisition among 50 to 59 and 60 to 69 age groups, particularly in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT)/mobile technology, social communication, complementary, and work-related skills. Women aged 70 and above express greater life satisfaction and optimism. This study illuminates the digital landscape for older women, emphasizing their proficiency, varied interests, and high levels of psychological empowerment. The findings underscore the optimism and life satisfaction expressed by women aged 70 and above, offering valuable insights into their unique perspectives. The survey results guided the redesign of the age-friendly mobile app, WIT, tailored for women across various age groups and people with limited digital skills. Our app encapsulates a holistic and user-centric approach, showcasing the potential to empower older women, foster skill development, and cultivate a positive learning experience in the digital realm.