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Herald Reporter

The growth and spread of new television stations is an effective way to bridge the digital divide, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

In a speech read on her behalf by Dr Nanette Silukhuni, the Director Strategic Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Minister Mutsvangwa said the liberalisation of the media space was an effective way to remove the digital divide.

The remarks were made during this year’s “Lift me up,” women’s conference which was held yesterday in Harare this week to mark the International Women’s Day running under the theme, “Digital Innovation and Technology for Equality.”

“The participation of women in the digital space cannot be overemphasised,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.

“Whilst access and usage of digital technologies have the potential to empower women, it would appear the benefits of digital transformation are not equally balanced between societal groups.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government was working on various measures to advance the inclusion of women in the digital space.

“I am happy to say that as the Second Republic we have gone all out to liberalise the media environment thereby widening the digital space,” she said.

“My Ministry is on record for having successfully championed the establishment of community radio stations, private television stations and Campus Radio stations and digital broadcasting has taken centre stage and as the mouthpiece of Government, we stand to reassure you that this is in line with best              practice.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said this year’s theme resonates well with the Government’s strategic thrust to increase the Media space and expand the information discourse.

“For the record, we have licensed six free to air television stations and we have since lobbied for an improved media environment through the enactment of Media laws which shall protect journalists in the course of discharge of their duties,” she said.

Further, the Minister said the Government had thrown its weight to financially support the Zimbabwe Digital Terrestrial Transmission project.

“This project will see more transmission sites being established across the country and of course more players taking up the digital space allowing information dissemination to thrive,” she said.

In her message to all women, the Minister implored women to support one another, build each other and believe in one another.

“Let us not shy away from opportunities and as women, let’s share knowledge and explore ideas that help build a better Zimbabwe for all of us,” she said.

International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, and violence and abuse against women.