Johnson Progress

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the country commemorates the Girls in ICT day.

Speaking during the belated celebrations held at Chinhoyi University yesterday, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera said the inclusion of girls in ICT is crucial for building a stronger and more prosperous future for the country.

“When we empower a girl with digital skills, you don’t just empower an individual—you empower a future entrepreneur, a CEO, a innovator who will drive Zimbabwe’s digital revolution,” she said.

Mavetera revealed that government has launched several initiatives to promote girls in ICT, including the She Tech Initiative, which provides scholarships for girls to pursue tertiary education in ICT-related programs, and a Digital Skills Ambassadors Program, which aims to train at least 1.5 million coders this year, with at least 50% of them being women and girls.

“I call upon all women and girls to play a huge part in ensuring that we meet this target for without your support we will not reach this target. The inclusion of Girls in ICT is not a task for any single individual or organization. It demands collaboration and a collective commitment from all sectors of society – Government, industry, educators, parents and community leaders,” she said.

The event was also attended by the Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Dr. Gift Machengete, who said the regulator has the responsibility to ensure that young people, particularly girls, are able to harness the immense opportunities offered by ICTs while being protected from the associated dangers.

“As the regulator, it is our responsibility to ensure that young people, particularly girls, are able to harness the immense opportunities offered by ICTs while being protected from the associated dangers,” he said.

He revealed that POTRAZ is working to bridge the digital divide through initiatives like Digital Centres, Innovation Support Programs, and Digital Skills Training Programmes. These initiatives aim to provide girls and women with access to digital tools, knowledge, and confidence to use them safely and effectively.

“We need schools to encourage girls to pursue STEM. We need communities to dismantle outdated gender roles. We need parents to nurture curiosity, and we need the private sector to open doors of opportunity,” he said.

However, Dr. Machengete cautioned girls on the importance of maintaining a positive digital footprint.

“While the internet may seem like a free-for-all space, your digital footprint lasts forever. Let your online presence reflect your values, your intelligence, and your dignity,” he said.

The International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of April, aims to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in the ICT sector. This day aims to raise awareness about the gender gap in ICT and empower girls to embrace technology.