Research and Publications
goGOGOgo is an innovation, knowledge and research hub which generates and manages programmes aimed at improving the health outcomes and life opportunities of gogos and the children they are raising.
‘In wisdom I am strong but in technology I am weak’: The role of iGOGO in developing digital literacy and skills among older women in South Africa. 2025
‘In wisdom I am strong but in technology I am weak’: The role of iGOGO in developing digital literacy and skills among older women in South Africa. del Pilar García-Chitiva and Simmonds (2025) in “Bridging the Grey Digital Divide: Enhancing ICT Learning for Older Adults”. p19-20. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Shanghai Open University, Institute for the Future of Education.
digital learning for older adults
goGOGOgo co-authored a chapter detailing the iGOGO project as a case study contributing to a global understanding of how to embed digital learning for older adults within national lifelong learning systems
“Bridging the Grey Digital Divide: Enhancing ICT Learning for Older Adults”, a research report co-implemented by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), Hamburg and the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), Monterrey, explores how organisations across six countries – Bahrain, Chile, China, Poland, South Africa and the United States of America – are advancing digital learning for older adults.
Our chapter, ‘In wisdom I am strong but in technology I am weak’: The role of iGOGO in developing digital literacy and skills among older women in South Africa, highlights the importance of culturally grounded, intergenerational and participatory methods. The chapter explores the iGOGO programme as a case study for how to equip older adults with the practical digital skills, confidence and support needed to participate fully in an increasingly digital society.
“Knowledge I seek because culture doesn’t work anymore … It doesn’t work, death comes”: the experiences of third-generation female caregivers (gogos) in South Africa discussing sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS with children in their care
Simmonds, J.E., Parry, C.D.H., Abdullah, F. et al. “Knowledge I seek because culture doesn’t work anymore … It doesn’t work, death comes”: the experiences of third-generation female caregivers (gogos) in South Africa discussing sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS with children in their care. BMC Public Health21, 470 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10494-5
Background
Sexual reproductive health communication between parents and children has been shown to promote safer sexual choices. In many South African households, third-generation female caregivers, often grandmothers or other older females, locally known as gogos, are primary caregivers of children due to parents being deceased or absent. Subsequently, the responsibility of talking about sex and related issues has shifted to these gogos. This study explored the experiences of gogos living in Alexandra, Johannesburg on talking about sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS with children aged 10–18 years that are in their care.
Methods
Ten primary caregivers were purposively selected. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews. Thematic analysis was performed and inductive codes and themes identified.
Results
All gogos selected found it difficult to discuss sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS due to culture and traditional values impacting on personal experiences as well as generation and gender barriers. Perceived low self-efficacy due to low levels of knowledge and limited skills in speaking about sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS also contributed to low levels of sexual reproductive health communication.
Conclusions
This study highlights the need for interventions that focus on improving gogos’ knowledge about sexual reproductive health in addition to providing them with the skills to talk about sex, sexuality and HIV and AIDS with children in their care.
sexual reproductive health communication
goGOGOgo’s founder Jane Simmonds co-authored this study which focuses on gogo’s who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren and therefore responsible for talking to them about sex, sexuality, and HIV.
