Government says innovation and technology are key in achieving gender equality at the moment.
Kasenengwa District Commissioner, Rachael Phiri, says innovation and technological change is very important for achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
Ms Phiri said this today at Chiparamba Day Secondary School during the commemoration of International Women’s day.
She however said growing inequalities were becoming increasingly evident in the context of digital skills and access to technologies.
Ms Phiri said women, especially in rural areas, were being left behind due to the technology gap which could be attributed to high illiteracy and poverty levels among others.
“Women are bread earners at every home, therefore, in this fast growing technological world, there is a need to help every woman embrace technology in the way of doing things. No matter how we want to achieve gender equality, without technological inclusion, we cannot achieve much,” she said.
Ms Phiri added that it was sad to learn that many girls and women, especially in rural areas, could operate a phone to access information and mobile money services despite being in the digital age.
And one of the women, Esther Munga urged the government to continue with various empowerment programs targeting the women to ensure poverty levels were reduced.
This year’s Women’s Day was commemorated under the theme; Digital: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.