Young Girls Embrace ICT Initiatives

The girl child has been urged to seize opportunities offered by organizations that empower them technologically and improve their influence and relevance in the digital era.

The call was made at the official launch of the Smart Learners’ Hub https://smartlearnershub.net/ platform (an online reproductive health school) jointly held at the commemoration of  the International Day of the Girl Child at the SAYWHAT Studio of Choice on Wednesday, 11th October with the theme “Digital Generation, Our Generation.

 

The launch was attended by several high-level delegates including government officials, civil societies, Junior parliament, the girl Swedish Ambassador, Web for life movement and girls from all walks of life.

 

A panel discussion by young girls brought out aspects faced when girls embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) such as the high cost of data, cyberbullying, poor network, language barriers and promotion of a high life and unaffordable tendencies that lead to unethical and illegal activities for income generation.

 

Speaking during the commemorations, The Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellence Ambassador Lindgrade expressed gratitude to listen to girl child panelists and applauded the positive spirit among them. In addition, the Ambassador commended SAYWHAT for implementing various initiatives that seek to empower the girl child.

 

“Investing in girls is investing in a future that is equal for all, for girls themselves, for their families, and for their communities” …Ambassador Lindgrade.

 

Hon. Dr. J. N. Mhlanga, the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, encouraged girls to empower themselves as it is the most effective way to break the cycle of gender stereotypes.

 

The junior minister in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Faith Takaedza, urged the authorities to provide marginalized communities with access to ICT gadgets and education on how to use them effectively. Faith cautioned young girls to be mindful of the content they access on the internet and to avoid clicking on links that offer inappropriate material.

 

“Let us bear in mind that information that is not censored is information that is detrimental to all of us” …Faith Takaedza.

 

The Director of Gender mainstreaming Inclusivity and Wellness in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology expressed her admiration for SAYWHAT’s Smart Learners Hub. In addition, she reassured young women that the government is committed to digital inclusion among girls and will continue to allocate resources toward that end.

 

SAYWHAT will continue to call upon young girls to exercise utmost discretion and caution when using the internet in the digital generation and for girls to take charge of their online presence and safety. Using its advocacy structures, the smart learner’s hub, the studio of choice and the toll free – 577, SAYWHAT is focused on protecting and empowering young girls while addressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns among young people. SAYWHAT hope to establish similar structures in the Southern African region to ensure effective dissemination of SRH information.

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