The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) wants women in Zambia to embrace and effectively use modern telecommunication technologies because they have the potential to enhance business undertakings.

ZICTA director general Margaret Mudenda said one example was women in the market places selling produce and being able to get products’ prevailing market prices from other producers using a mobile phone.

Mudenda said yesterday that it had become even more interesting to learn that women were able to independently conduct businesses using the mobile phone and also make orders for merchandise using the internet.

“The advent of communication technologies had become even more interesting for women as they were now able to even participate in health activities to learn how to treat certain conditions or read symptoms,” Mudenda.

She said ZICTA, the country’s telecom sector regulator, is working in collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders to embark on projects that are targeted at different beneficiaries.   Women and girls, Mudenda said have a big role to play in utilising and growing these technologies.

Another significant initiative by ZICTA to awareness among girls, Mudenda said was the ‘Girls Be Informed’ programme which would involve ambassadors of ZICTA giving talks to girls in secondary schools with the objective of sensitising them about the importance of ICTs. The sensitisation would also encourage girls to consider taking up careers in the field of ICT.

Mudenda urged women who she said were important drivers of the country’s economy to embrace technologies, in homes and work places to realise and maximise on their full potential.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Christopher Mutembo said he was aware that ICTs were constantly shaping the way the world was creating opportunities for a better life by accelerating growth in different sectors of the economy.

Mutembo said Government was committed to supporting activities and projects aimed at building capacity that would enable women and girls to independently and competently use ICTs in every aspect in their lives.

Source: BiztechAfrica