Paradigm Initiative, a social advocacy and digital rights group, says it is “most urgent and essential” for digital gender equity to take the front burner, equipping girls with information communications technology skills that could empower millions of girls and accelerate countries’ economic growth.
The group’s Communications Officer, Valery Njiaba, stated this on Thursday, as it joined in the commemoration of the ‘International Girls in ICT Day’ which had the theme, ‘Connected Girls, Creating Brighter Futures.’
PIN said, “We are reflecting on the need to close the digital gender divide, including more girls participating in the technology revolution.”
To achieve digital gender equity and connect more girls to ICT opportunities, the rights group suggested more support be given to girls from a young age to increase their interest and self-esteem in ICT, and erase bias that technology is a male domain.
It urged policymakers to research and provide new approaches to enable girls access digital literacy skills and the Internet.
It equally called on the government to work with private sector businesses to create learning centres where more girls can access ICT tools and skills.
