Govt to give scholarships in technology studies to women and girl

VICE-PRESIDENT Mutale Nalumango says the government intends to give scholarships to women and girl children to make them technologically literate.

The Vice President is concerned that only 40 per cent of women are technologically and digitally literate as opposed to men who are at 60 percent.

Speaking when she met central Province Chiefs in Kabwe district before gracing this year’s International Women’s Day, Mrs. Nalumango disclosed that the first step is to ensure connectivity to the internet by everyone.

“Government intends to give scholarships to women in technology to empower them and participate in digital technology,” she said.

Mrs Nalumango also acknowledged that access to digital platforms among rural areas remains a challenge due to lack of electricity.

She stressed the need to connect rural areas to electricity stating that the government is looking at the possibility of connecting the internet to all areas.

The Vice president emphasized the need to encourage investors to invest into solar energy especially in rural-underserved areas.

She said that this will help people reduce the use of charcoal which is depleting the forest.

Mrs Nalumango commended the traditional leaders for focusing on women empowerment, “As you are aware, when you empower a woman, you empower all because women are others who care for all,” she said

And traditional leaders in Central Province have appealed to the government to help address issues of Gender Based Violence, Early marriages, defilement and unplanned pregnancies if women are to be digitally empowered.

Chief Chamuka of the Lenje said such vice s that have negatively affected women need digital solutions.

He stated that women need to participate in all sectors of the economy, especially mining in the chiefdoms.

Chief Chitanda urged the government to address charcoal burning which is depleting the forest as it can increase the effects of climate change which ar3e already being felt in most areas.

Chief Mulendama urged the government to enhance the installation of communication towers in rural areas where telecommunication is not accessible.

And chief Chibale said that the government should put up digital radios in areas that are not serviced.

He said that this will help in the dissemination of information.