ICT skills among girls vital

THE Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN) has encouraged girls in the country to fully utilise information communication technology (ICT) in their quest to advance knowledge and explore innovations.

ZAMREN Chief Executive Officer Bonny Khunga said girls should discard the notion that ICT was a preserve of the males.

Mr Khunga was speaking at girls ICT day at Ndola Girls Technical Secondary School under the theme, ‘expand horizons, change attitudes towards ICT.'

He noted that girls were often intimidated and coerced to not take anything that was technically inclined.

ICT, he said, had proven to be the next revolution in human history as it covered banking, education, health, military, and business sectors among many key economic sectors across the globe.

Mr Khunga therefore urged girls and women in the country to get actively involved in technical development.

Copperbelt province acting permanent secretary Joyce Nsamba said government was committed to stopping early marriages by creating opportunities for girls in ICT.

Ms Nsamba said it was sad that the ICT sector remained male dominated, a situation which required to be changed through encouraging girls to get actively involved.

She has since called on women and girls to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge that would enable them explore ICT with ease.

"Many organisations worldwide, including Zambia, are looking forward to having highly skilled employees such as women and men in ICTs, hence the government`s focus on encouraging a gender balance in the ICT workforce," she said.