GISAGARA — district has trained 35 women in various computer skills.

The women, who completed the two-month basic computer literacy  course, were awarded certificates during the District Women’s Day celebrations on Tuesday.

The training was aimed at equipping participants with basic skills that are important in a technological and ICT-led world.

Gisagara District vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Domitille Uwingabiye, noted the use of ICT can change lives of rural residents.

"ICT changes lives; it opens up the mind, eyes and the doors to development. With the use of computer, they [women] get aware of what is happening around the world, get in touch with people from various backgrounds, exchange ideas, sharpen their knowledge and get to improve their lives,” Uwingabiye argued.

Marie Mukankaka, one of those who completed the training, noted that the acquired skills would help her  widen her network.

"With the acquired skills, I hope to chat with people outside this district to learn through their experience. Now that I have the ability to use the internet, I can send and receive e-mails, and this is something important for me”, Mukankaka said.

However, she added, access to internet is still limited in rural areas which could frustrate access to information.
Meanwhile, speaking at the function, in Gikonko Sector, Marie Claudine Mukamana, a mobilization officer with the Water and Sanitation Extension Programme in Southern Province (PEPAPS), noted that a healthy society requires proper sanitation.

She urged women to maintain hygiene and sanitation to ensure healthy lives.
Mukamana challenged women to improve their level of education, saying ‘education is key to influencing people’s behaviors.”

"When a woman develops, upgrades her education and improves her skills, the whole family benefits,” she noted.

"In many societies, if not all over the world, activities related to hygiene and sanitation are mainly a particular domain for women. An educated woman equals to a healthier society because, as females get educated, they help improve hygienic standards in the family.”

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