PM stresses women participation in digital economy

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Mr Kassim Majaliwa has directed leaders in both the public and private sectors to strategise for effective women’s participation in a digital economy.

The Premier stated that the ultimate digital inclusion of women in the production chain will increase their contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mr Majaliwa made these remarks at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam onThursday, while opening the Future Read Summit on behalf of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He emphasised the need for collective strategies from leaders in the public and private sectors, citizens and other development stakeholders to jointly invest in Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, with a priority on increasing women’s digital and financial inclusivity.

Premier Majaliwa urged telecommunication operators to set affordable communication prices in order to entice more citizens, especially women, to use their services. He also called on communication stakeholders to use platforms like the Future Ready Summit to find ways to enable youths to fully contribute to the country’s economy. Mr Majaliwa urged all participants at the summit to be ambassadors in sharing digital opportunities and ICT skills with others in the country.

Furthermore, he announced that the government is implementing a special project to construct 26 girls’ secondary schools in different regions of Tanzania Mainland, in order to provide more girls with access to education, especially in science subjects.

The schools are being constructed at a cost of 104bn/-, with each school spending at least 4 billion shillings. Mr Majaliwa commended President Samia for initiating these iconic projects, which aim to promote women’s literacy.

Earlier, the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye, called upon citizens to stop fearing the digital revolution and instead face it with courage for prosperity.

He assured that the Ministry for Information, Communication and Information Technology will continue to ensure that key ICT infrastructure projects at institutions, including colleges and universities, are implemented for smooth student learning.

“Tanzania is ready to prosper with the digital revolution,” Mr Nnauye said.

• 33