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Africa urged to empower women in digital transformation

Xinhua, May 12, 2017 Adjust font size:

African governments have been urged to support women and girls to be part of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Africa transformation to bridge gender digital divide.

Speaking at the "Smart Africa Women's Summit" at the Transform Africa Summit 2017 in the Rwandan capital Kigali, delegates emphasized that women and girls must not be left behind if Africa was to achieve inclusive digital revolution.

Rwanda hosts the high-level continental summit on May 10-12, with a focus on developing "smart Africa cities using the power of technology."

"Technology industry in Africa remains mostly male-dominated. As we are here talking about digital transformation in Africa, we should empower women and girls to be part of the drive. Smart Africa goals can not be achieved without the input of women and girls," said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and the Executive Director of UN Women.

She noted that despite the fact that the global digital gender gap has increased to 23 percent in 2016, Africa needs to put much emphasis in creating digital opportunities that promotes gender equality.

During the summit, the Africa Smart Women and Girls declaration was endorsed by several African first ladies and leaders from the private sector, civil society and academia.

The Africa Smart Women and Girls initiative seeks to eliminate the gender digital divide and ensure that women and girls actively participate in the digital revolution and knowledge economy on the continent.

Inonge Mutukwa Wina, Vice President of Zambia, told the meeting that to fast track women and girls inclusion in ICT revolution in Africa, political will needs to be enhanced with a sense of urgency.

"Closing the digital gap between girls and boys is important for the promotion of the information society. As we embark on this journey of Africa digital transformation, it becomes crucial that the inputs of African women and girls are represented in the digital world," she added.

Delegates argued that solving the technology gender gap is about building skills and changing mentalities and including more women and girls in technology education and innovation programs.

Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame echoed other speakers, emphasizing the importance of engaging women and girls to pursue ICT careers.

"Rwanda has embarked on a campaign to bridge the digital gender divide by introducing several ICT initiatives like One Laptop per Child in primary schools and awarding computers to best performing girls in high schools among others," she said.

She stated that there is a strong need to continue to advocate for ICT to be adopted as a tool for true gender empowerment and equality.

Transform Africa Summit is an annual forum bringing together global and regional leaders from the government, business and international organizations to discus new ways of accelerating Africa's on-going digital revolution. Endit