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Midlands Reporter
THE country is geared to invest in equipping young girls with Science and Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills in order to achieve a digital economy by 2030.

This was said by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere in Gweru on Friday during the commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day .

“The Girls in ICT is also one way of improving gender balance and gender mainstreaming within our communities. Girls in ICT is not for young ladies from the urban areas or leafy suburbs — but it is a national initiative meant for all the girls across the social divide.

From what we have observed during the previous editions of the Girls in ICT, I can confidently say our girls are eager to learn and take advantage of opportunities existing within the wider ICT sector,” he said.

“From what we have observed during the previous editions of the girls in ICT, I can confidently say our girls are eager to learn and take advantage of opportunities existing within the wider ICT sector.”

Dr Muswere said the International Girls in ICT Day was set aside by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to inspire and empower young women and girls to take up ICT careers and become active stakeholders in the information society and promotion of ICT skills.

 

Today digital skills, he said, have become an integral part of everyone’s daily lives as the world is oriented towards automation and digitisation in the quest to have a smart world.

“It is estimated by ICT experts that about five million traditional jobs will be lost by the year 2030, to be replaced with ICT systems and jobs.

“As we implement the Girls-in-ICT initiative and bridge the digital gender divide, it is important that we create the appropriate environment and policy realignment to sustain the interest of not only our young girls but their male counterparts as well. As the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, we will work hard to ensure the availability of ICT infrastructure throughout the country to help provide internet connectivity and equip schools and the various Community Information Centres (CICs),” Minister Muswere said.

He said the protection of cyberspace is a key priority of the Government and efforts are being made to ensure the security of ICT infrastructure and the online services, so that they are a safer space for children who have become conversant with ICTs.

“I am glad to say that the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has developed a Child Online Protection framework document to guide the implementation of activities aimed at protecting our children as they take advantage of the many opportunities that ICTs bring,” he said.

Dr Gift Machengete, the director-general of the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) said they have embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing ICT access to all especially those in rural and marginalised areas and especially to women and girls who are still lagging behind in ICT education and careers.

“We believe in inclusivity and in leaving no one behind, which is why we have been rolling out Community Information Centres (CICs) throughout the country, connecting schools, health care institutions, Government departments, and police stations and also providing these with ICT gadgets among other projects,” he said.

Dr Machengete said Potraz will be giving full scholarships to four young women from underprivileged backgrounds to study science subjects at University Level.

Zimbabwe has been celebrating this initiative in all provinces and during these events, selected schools received computers and laptops to help ensure that every child has access to ICTs.

The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services in partnership with Potraz and other stakeholders has also promoted ICT development in Zimbabwe through the establishment of computer laboratories at various schools countrywide, a programme that is still ongoing targeting more than 8 800 primary and secondary schools across the country.

Statistics released by UN Women, however, show that women and girls use the internet 12,5 percent less than men and boys, with some 46 percent of boys accessing the internet on their phones, compared to 27 percent of girls.

A study by UN Women and the ITU shows that girls access digital technology at a later age than boys and that their use of this technology is more often curtailed by their parents and guardians.