ICT ministry seeks to close gender gap

ICT, Postal and Courier Services minister Tatenda Mavetera says her ministry is working to implement inclusive policies that will close the gender gap and guarantee greater female participation in the tech sector.

To that effect, the ministry is reviewing its board appointments to reflect women representation.

“We need conducive policies that will see all women being involved in ICT,” Mavetera stated yesterday while speaking to delegates at the Women in ICT conference 2024, which was organised by the Computer Society of Zimbabwe (CSZ) in Harare.

“This includes even women deep in the rural areas. We need to enter into partnerships that will also lure investors into the sector. Devices also need to be affordable so that we are able to see all women being involved.”

Globally, according to Mavetera, tech women are still marginalised, and much work needs to be done before inclusivity and sufficient empowerment are achieved.

At home, the ministry continues to gain from CSZ’s involvement in the execution of the smart Zimbabwe 2030 Vision, which has as its strategic focus markets in a knowledge-based society, shared infrastructure, and policies for skills and capacity building.

“We also welcome new investors into the sector as we believe that opening up of the sector promotes healthy competition and gives the consumer more options. It is important that such new people respect our digital sovereignty by securing relevant licences from the regulator, Potraz [Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe],” she said.

The conference is running under the theme Inspire inclusion: Accelerating women’s empowerment.-newsday