ICT for Girls programme opens modern knowledge doors for women: Anusha

ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Anusha Rahman on Friday said initiation of ICT for Girls programme has opened doors of IT and modern knowledge for future builders of Pakistan to become entrepreneurs and contributors to national development.
“It is quite important and vital that women segment who constitutes
50 per cent of country’s population, should come forward, show their
potential and contribute in socio-economic development,” she said while
addressing a signing ceremony held here in connection with launch of ICT
for Girls Initiative. Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar was chief guest on the occasion.
The Minister said it is resolve of the government under
an able leadership of Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to
creating and setting up various bundles and plans to elevate
abilities and information of Pakistani women in ICT to build their
employability.
Anusha Rahman said the ICTs for young girls system has
been launched with joint effort of Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM),
Universal Service Fund (USF) and Microsoft to help prepare a
great many young girls from underestimated area of society, with
a goal that they can get suitable occupations.
The Minister emphasized in this age of innovation and
technological advancement, steps need to be taken that
benefits of ICT reach girls and women, adding that her government
was focusing on this particular areas and ensuring implementation
following party’s manifesto.
She advised that the women segment should not restricted
themselves for typing only rather they should take advantage of
and focus on learning different IT and computer courses as
Information Technology has assumed a pivotal role in every
sphere of life. This phenomenon will also lead to women empowerment,
she continued.
Anusha Rahman also recorded measures adopted by government
to advance Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in
the nation and mentioned tele-centre project which has been
launched to facilitate population in underserved areas of the country.
There would be separate desks including 10 for males and 10 for females
in a tele-centre.
The other initiative is setting up of Software Technology Parks
and also a tech city in Islamabad. She said her Ministry is in process of
developing tech city, adding that during first week of January next
we would be able to announce final bidder for the project where
young entrepreneurs would be facilitated.
She said the initiatives introduced have started bearing
fruits as Pakistan has achieved 4th position in E-lancer area
where people work and earn their livelihood while working at homes.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), USF, Faisal Sattar highlighted
the achievements of his organization and said out of targeted
7,000 mauzas across the country, 4000 have been provided ICT
services while optic fibre cable was also being laid to facilitate
the remotest parts.
In his brief remarks, Managing Director, PBM, Barrister Abid
Waheed Sheikh said out of 150 Women Empowerment Centres (WEC) across
the country, Microsoft is setting-up IT labs in 50 WEC.
He said it is our duty to impart IT education to girls in
order to enable them to earn their livelihood and contribute in national
development.
He said around 4000 to 5000 girls would be imparted training in
ICT related areas in first phase of the programme.
Country Head of Microsoft, Nadeem Malik expressed commitment
of his organization in promoting ICT and hoped this particular
initiative would help materialize government’s vision to make
Pakistan a digital country.
Chairperson, National Commission on Status of Women, Khawar Mumtaz
spoke about ICT for Girls programme and said this would
help ensure women empowerment and make them productive citizens.
Later, heads of PBM, USF and Microsoft signed the document
on behalf of their respective organizations amid presence of
Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar and Anusha Rahman.
The ceremony was attended by CEOs of mobile phone and telecom
companies, legislators, senior government officials and media persons.