Technology key driver of gender equality – ICT ministry

Depending on how technology is used, the current gender inequality gap can be narrowed or widened, said Esther Kunda, Director General, Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Ministry of ICT and Innovation. ALSO READ: Rwanda recommits to address digital divide According to her, accelerating digital literacy and access to technology can swiftly bridge the gender gap, but if nothing is done, the gap will further be widened. Kunda said on the occasion of the launch of ‘Lift Her Up’ program –a series of discussions aimed at creating awareness and inspiring confidence in women to leverage technology through various innovations, on March 8. This year’s International Women’s Day celebrated under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality and it served as a call to all stakeholders in the technology arena to pull in their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and more equitable. ALSO READ: Coding for girls will bridge gender digital divide - UN Women rep Kunda noted: “We are putting in place digital inclusion strategies to deliberately enable digital adoption of some groups of people who are not easily conversant with technology so that they are not left behind.” She added that every woman has a role to play in innovating solutions that respond to most pressing challenges in society. According to Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022, women are 18 percent less likely to own a smartphone than men, and this is attributed to factors such as affordability, literacy and digital skills, as well as safety and security. Israël Bimpe, CEO of Irembo, said that the Lift Her Up program will result in the increase of women in technology and thus provide solutions that solve some of their problems. It increases the number of women who participate in technology fields because when there are many, it increases the potential of technology to provide solutions to the most important needs of women in general, he said. He emphasized that companies need to create a conducive working environment that has no room for gender discrimination or sexual harassment, and unique in catering for women’s needs so that they can have a normal pathway of productivity.

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Technology key driver of gender equality – ICT ministry