RURAL GIRLS GO DIGITAL
Orange Botswana donates girls’ digital centre
Queen Esther and Love Botswana Outreach Mission have opened a digital centre for women and girls from rural and hard-to-reach areas to empower them with tech skills.
Housed at Life Centre in Maun, which is run by the outreach mission, Lead Girl Digital Centre was sponsored by Orange Botswana Foundation
“What is central to the DNA of Orange Botswana Foundation is ensuring that those who are disadvantaged are not left behind as we embark on this digital and innovation journey. Today is all about advancing the digital inclusion of the girl child and the youth in general,” noted Orange Botswana Corporate Affairs Director, Lepata Mafa-nthomola, when officially handing over the centre to Queen Esther and Love Botswana management last week during the commemoration of international girl child’s day in Maun.
This centre is expected to empower women with digital skills, business and personal management skills to improve their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.
“Through this centre, women discover the use of computers, they can improve their CVS and cover letters to help them in their job search. Alternatively, those managing own businesses can learn how to use digital tools to manage and grow their businesses,” said Nthomola.
“All of these training courses are key to women’s economic empowerment and our ultimate goal is not only to provide young women and girls with education, but also to help them become financially independent,” MafaNthomola further explained.
The centre is a fifth women’s digital centre set up by Orange Botswana Foundation following others in Gantsi, Molepolole, Mabele and Selibi Phikwe in partnership with different nongovernmental organisations.
According to Queen Esther’s director, Vehae Tjiriange, 60, young ladies from various wards in Maun have already been enrolled as the first cohort.
“I must say, with improved digital technology, women and girls in our region can have greater access to information on necessities like education, health care, business and employment,” pointed out Tjiriange.
She further explained that the centre is a tremendous step towards dismantling barriers, breaking stereotypes, moving obstacles and helping women reap benefits of technology. “This programme will thus ensure that women are not left behind in the digital and technological space and are awarded equal opportunities to use or own digital technologies and digital solutions relevant to their context and experiences.”
CHALLENGES
Speaking at the same occasion was Batawana Paramount Chief Regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi, who appreciated the initiative and said for a long time girls have been disadvantaged and left behind due to varied challenges: “It is time to build safe spaces where our girls can feel empowered to be the best that God created them to be. Girls should grow in circumstances where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or violence. Let’s give them wings to fly instead of reasons to weep,” said Moremi.
The chief further commended Orange Botswana for the kind act of donating the digital centre so women and girls may gain confidence and use technology to enhance their lives, “We know also that when a girl is empowered and sees herself as a leader, it creates a positive force for change in her life and for her community.”