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Tonderai Rutsito
A thousand girls from Matabeleland North yesterday converged at St James High School in Nyamandlovu where they joined the world in commemorating Girls in ICT.

Girls in ICT is a global effort to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider studies and careers in ICTs.

The theme of this year`s commemoration was “girls woman and innovation”. This is the fourth national gathering co-ordinated by, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe in collaboration with all the nation`s telecommunications operator.

Potraz’s acting director-general Mr Buxton Sirewu said that as a regulator they were keen to carry the vision forward.

“We are committed to the development of ICTs to serve young woman and communities in Zimbabwe hence this initiative,” he said.

The event was held at a rural school in appreciation of Government’s thrust to bring ICT to rural communities through the Presidential computerisation programme under which President Mugabe has been donating 10 computers each to various rural schools around the country. As part of the commemoration the 1 000 girls were asked questions on how ICTs can be used to impact on the population.

The top ten respondents received laptops for their schools, which have jurisdiction over how the machines will be used.

Potraz also said they were working closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to empower the girl child.

“This initiative is being implemented with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the ministry responsible for provincial affairs.

“Our wish is to involve communities as much as possible to provide ICT solutions for them using platforms such as girls in ICT and world telecommunication day,” the regulator said.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as the leading United Nations agency for telecommunications and ICTs, seeks to encourage gender balance in the ICT sector at all levels of the profession.

Supporting the education of women and girls in the ICT sector is also in line with United Nations Millennium Development Goal 3 to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Not only are opportunities in the ICT sector elevating women to higher positions but they are also creating a more gender-balanced sector.

The girls in ICT commemorations are held on rotational basis nationwide with the initial initiative being held in Matabeleland in 2012, Manicaland in 2013, followed by Mashonaland West last year.

The host province is chosen by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Service, Potraz and companies in the telecommunication sector.

 The writer is the editor for TechnoMag, more in depth on www.technomag.co.zw. TechnoMag is Zimbabwe`s Premiere Technology Magazine, More In depth from; www.technomag.co.zw on. Follow us on Tweeter at TechnoMagZw And like us on ww.facebook.com/technomagzw