Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority
Kitwe, Zambia, 2016, April 28
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) in collaboration with Ministry of Transport and Communication this year, partnered with UNICEF, National Aids Council and Asikana Network to host a two day Sensitization/Mentorship event at Edinburgh Hotel, in Kitwe on the Copperbelt province of Zambia.
The Event run from April 28 to April 29, 2016 and involved 210 girls from 30 schools. Out of the 210 girls who have been invited, 100 of them came from rural parts of the Copperbelt. These included deaf girls who came with a sign language interpreter from the teaching staff.
The objective of the Event was to provide a platform for girls to access information on ICTs and other issues affecting their welfare.
Mentors were invited to share information with the girls on topics relating to productive use of ICTs, Cyber Security, Child online Protection, ICTs and Ethics as well as career opportunities in the ICT sector. The Mentors also shared with them personal life experiences, particularly, on how they overcame challenges by focusing on their education.
UNICEF and National Aids Council made presentations on prevention of early pregnancies and issues of HIV as well as Using ICT platforms for adolescent HIV and SRH information: Zambia U – Report. Also present at this year's Girls in ICT Day commemoration, was Childline/Lifeline Zambia who also gave a presentation to the girls.
The Event was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary for Copperbelt province Reverend Sikwela and was also graced by ZICTA Director General Mrs Margaret Chalwe-Mudenda and Director Support Services Mr. Mofya Chisala.
The girls who were accommodated at the hotel for the two days came with their teachers who were also participants. The objective of allowing the teachers in the Mentorship Sessions is to build capacity in them to go back and sensitive other girls in their respective schools.
Zambia has introduced a Girls in ICT Mentorship programme with a selection of Mentors whose role is to talk to young girls in schools and other settings with the objective of encouraging them to use ICTs and steer them into considering a career in the industry. This programme is being done in collaboration with other partners with similar initiatives.
