Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has called on girls to embrace technology not just as users, but as creators and innovators, stressing its transformative power in closing the gender digital divide.
She said the internet should be exploited for good, as it creates opportunities for women in different sectors to prosper.
Dr Mnangagwa said this at this year’s national World Telecommunication and Information Society Day commemorations held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera on Friday last week.
Amai Mnangagwa, who is also the SheTech patron, was invited by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to officiate at this year’s commemorations.
True to her nurturing spirit, Dr Mnangagwa donated fully packed food hampers and mealie meal to some of the elderly people and persons with disabilities in attendance, further proving that no one is left behind under her motherly watch.
Addressing multitudes of people who thronged the event, the First Lady passionately emphasised the need to empower the girl child to become not just a consumer, but a creator of technology, a bold call that places women at the centre of digital transformation.
“The day serves to raise awareness of the vast opportunities that the internet and other information and communication technologies offer to societies and economies around the globe. This day is more than just a celebration.
“It is a powerful call to action as it highlights the urgent need to address the global innovation gap, promote digital inclusion and accelerate efforts to bridge the digital divide,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa added: “As digital transformation advances, there is growing concern that without international efforts, the goals of achieving gender equality, upholding women’s rights and empowering women could be compromised. This day urges stakeholders to ensure that technology serves all, equitably and inclusively.”
The First Lady said as the nation celebrates International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s 160 years of connecting the world, citizens are reminded of the power of technology as a force for good.
She said the internet should be exploited for good, as it creates opportunities for women in different sectors to prosper.
“Let us, therefore, continue to harness that power to lift others, especially women, out of poverty, out of marginalisation, and into positions of strength and leadership.
“A glance at the global technology landscape reveals a stark reality. None of the top 10 global tech companies were founded by women.
“As highlighted by the Women Tech Network, women remain significantly under-represented in major technology firms worldwide.
“Closer to home, in Zimbabwe, reliable data on women’s participation in the tech sector remains limited and fragmented.
“As part of the SheTech initiative, I’m alive to the need to deal with gender imbalances in the technology landscape, and I remain committed to mobilising resources to see Zimbabwe and Africa produce its female tech entrepreneurs and innovators,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said the current gender gap can only be bridged if the world unites to support women and girls in ICT and technology.
“Bridging this gender gap is not just a matter of equity.
“It is essential to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution. This imperative aligns closely with the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 1, launched by His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, which places innovation, inclusion and human capital development at the heart of national transformation.
“Together, we can build a Zimbabwe where technology is truly for all and for good,” she said.
The First Lady also implored parents to be role models for their children while encouraging peace and unity within families. Amai Mnangagwa also took time to tackle social ills.
As the SheTech patron, Dr Mnangagwa donated laptops to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, a gesture that reflects her unwavering commitment to digital inclusion and national development. The ITU representative, Mrs Halima Letama, applauded Zimbabwe for its active engagement with the global ICT community.
Mrs Letama said although there are some notable changes in terms of digital development in African countries, there is a need to improve penetration.
“While digital development is continuing to grow, and we are seeing a lot of changes in this space, low broadband penetration still continues to hinder development and digital movements in Africa as a whole.
“We are seeing digital penetration as low as 11 percent in some of the countries in this continent. And 30 percent of our populations, Your Excellency, we are still within 10 km of a fibre node. We note that it’s not just the closeness to digital infrastructure that is an issue,” she said.
Mrs Letama also said that African countries must do more to reduce the price of data.
“Even the cost of connectivity is still high compared to what we are seeing in other countries. The global benchmark is that 2 percent of gross national income per capita should be the cost of connectivity. But in Africa, the country that we consider to have the lowest cost has only 12 percent of its gross national income as the cost of broadband prices.
“This number, Your Excellency, tells us the story. They tell us that many people in our countries do not have the necessary means and essential connectivity and technologies to access services that are very critical to their well-being,” she said.
Mrs Letama added: “We know that connectivity enables other sectors such as health, education, and finance, to name a few. And as the mantra of this nation says, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. This is why this is a challenge for us as Africa and as the leadership within this continent.”
ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, hailed ongoing efforts to bridge the gender digital divide efforts strongly propelled by the First Lady’s advocacy.
Minister Mavetera said she was extremely grateful to the First Lady who had taken time from her schedule to grace the event.
“This year’s theme for the World Telecommunication Day seeks to achieve gender equality in digital transformation.
“This theme reminds us that we should move forward in the digital world; it ensures that we achieve the result. So it gives pressure that we have access to technology for everyone and opportunities for everyone,” she said.
She added: “As we reflect on the importance of gender equality in digital transformation, Your Excellency, you are driving the She-Tech initiative.”
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) Director General, Dr Gift Machengete, said it was an honour for Dr Mnangagwa to grace the commemoration of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is a day that celebrates the transformative power of information and communication technologies in shaping inclusive, sustainable development.
He commended the First Lady for her philanthropic work.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, expressed deep appreciation to Amai Mnangagwa for being a beacon of hope and empowerment in the technological space.
“This occasion serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to cultivate an inclusive digital landscape that benefits everyone. As we celebrate, let us renew our commitment to building a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Mashonaland East Province,” he said.
“We are particularly proud to have the First Lady an inspiration, a beacon of hope, and a pioneer par excellence of socio-economic development programmes that have transformed Mashonaland East and indeed the whole of Zimbabwe.”
Minister Ndudzo said it was a great honour to celebrate the First Lady in her role as the patron of the She-Tech programmes, through which she has been instrumental in empowering women and girls, ensuring equal access to technology and opportunities.
“Your Excellency, we are happy that our theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Closing the Gender Digital Divide and Unlocking Opportunities for All’. This theme resonates deeply with your mission and girls’ empowerment,” he said.
“Bridging this divide is not merely an aspiration, but it is essential in multiple ways for economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.”
Online Reporter