By Fredrick Odiero
The Government through the ministry of ICT, Gender and Youth Affairs has plans to empower young girls in order to improve on their information technology skills. The gained skills will help to empower and build the skills and capacity of girls in the tech fields.
Speaking during the ISACA Governance, Risk and Compliance Conference in Kisumu County, ICT Chief Administrative Secretary Maureen Mbaka said the government and other like-minded partners are committed to address the inequity in the IT sector so as to create a digital world that is safe, secure and accessible to all.
She explained that to ensure the value of diversity in technology, players in the sector must foster gender equality in the labour market, boost economic growth and build a more inclusive digital world devoid of gender bias.
‘Women are underrepresented in ICT jobs, top managements and academic careers,’ she said.
She added that to foster gender equality, the ministry has rolled out the Girls in ICT Initiative Kenya Chapter that aims to ignite the interest of girls to take up Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics and ICT courses.
‘The programme holds monthly ICT related activities that young women and girls can participate in to encourage them take up careers in the sector. It also creates awareness on government projects and resources in the ICT field such as the AJIRA Digital Program that seeks to empower young people to harness benefits of the gig economy and the Huduma White box aimed at assisting innovators to scale up their innovations.’ She said.
Mbaka disclosed that women-owned start-ups receive 23 per cent less funding and are 30 per cent less likely to have a positive exit compared to male-owned businesses.
She added that concrete policy actions are needed to foster women’s and girls’ full participation and inclusion in the digital economy.
Mbaka addressed the stereotypes and social norms that lead to discrimination against women.
The CAS said the ministry is working round the clock to ensure Kenya is at the forefront of the 4th Industrial revolution under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mbaka said the Digital Economy Blueprint promotes the development of digital skills as a key pillar in achieving Kenya’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy driven by ICT.
To achieve the Big Four Agenda, technology is indispensable as it is a key enabler of socio-economic growth as envisioned in Vision 2030.
