Young women urged to maximise digital workspace to improve livelihoods

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 17 – Principal Secretary in the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Ministry of ICT, Youth Affairs and Innovation Esther Koimett has urged young women to take advantage of the digital workspace in order to boost their livelihoods.

Speaking during the launch of Phase III of the COVID-19  and Digital Employability Programme, she emphasised the need to adopt and adapt new technologies that can help young women exploit the emerging digital workspace with confidence.

“There could not be a better time than the current times when COVID-19 is still a reality, for content creators to arise to the fact that the digital economy is the new driver for innovation and competitiveness,” said Koimett.

During the event where beneficiaries of the program shared the impact that the programme has had on their livelihoods, Koimett acknowledged that media consumers have become critical players in steering the content that is created and that they thrive in this new landscape.

The African Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT) has since June 2020 implemented Phase I & II of this programme. and has linked 1,117 young girls to employment opportunities.

The programme was initiated to address the challenges faced by young women and youth who lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19.

ACWICT trained and mentored 1,832vulnerable and disadvantaged young women and equipped them with skills to work in the digital workspace. Those in need are also linked to psychosocial support.

The Programme has been funded by the UK Government Digital Access Programme. Phase III will be implemented by ACWICT and the Kenya Film Classification Board