Off the wire
• 1st Ld-Writethru: Xi urges intensified efforts to advance rural reform  • China introduces poverty delisting policy, stressing transparency  • 2nd LD Writethru: U.S. economy expands at annual rate of 0.5 pct in Q1  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, April 28  • Roundup: EU trade commissioner expects TTIP talks finalized by end-2016  • 2nd LD Writethru: DPRK's 2nd Musudan missile launch appears to have failed again  • First two families relocated from Greece granted asylum in Latvia  • Iranian Super League soccer fixtures  • 1st LD Writethru: DPRK's 2nd Musudan missile launch appears to have failed again  • Int'l arbitration center set up in SW China  
You are here: 　 Home

Rwanda supports girls to embrace tech career

Xinhua, April 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

In a bid to enable more girls to consider a career in ICT, the Rwandan government has called on technology industry stakeholders to support young girls to be part of the Information Communication Technology (ICT)development.

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Rwanda minister of youth and ICT told reporters on Thursday that ICT sector stakeholders will play a major role in enabling girls embrace career in technology.

"We are living in a World where there are equal opportunities for both boys and girls in ICT transformation, however girls are still behind when it comes to digital literacy hence making the industry mostly male-dominated," he said.

"We call upon ICT industry stakeholders to provide immense support in terms of training and career guidance to young girls and women to pursue careers in ICT which will ultimately break the remaining stigma that ICTs is a field suitable for males."

Rwanda on Thursday joined the rest of the World to mark the 5th International Girls in ICT Day, a global effort to raise awareness and encourage girls and young women across the globe to consider studies and careers in technology.

As part of the celebrations, the country introduced 'Ms Geek' contest, an annual technology competition that seeks to demonstrate that girls and young women can also excel in technologies and build their confidence in competing in the open market.

The 3rd edition of the contest will be held on April 30, where a group of Rwandan girls talented in technology will be presenting highly innovative projects in a tight race where the winner will be crowned Ms Geek 2016.

The 2015 global ICT report released by the World Economic Forum ranked Rwanda among top ten countries in Africa that are most dynamic performers when it comes to ICT development.

Rwanda plans to establish an ICT park that will be a base of technological investments, including training, industries, research and development. Endit