By S. Siapha Mulbah
The Internet Society Liberia Chapter is increasing women’s participation through capacity building in an effort eliminate digital inequality by bridging the digital gap.
The group of internet administrators see a disadvantage having lower number of women participating in the use of technology at this modern age which led to the organization of a three-day capacity building program for over hundreds of school-aged females across the country.
Participants of the online and face-to-face workshops conducted recently in Monrovia were trained on the importance of getting into the digital society and its empowerment for most especially women.
The president of the Liberian Chapter of the Internet Society, Matthew Roberts disclosed that after a survey conducted across the country, it was discovered that women had been marginalized relatively to the use of the internet and other digital program.
According to Roberts, the internet ecosystem is wider and cannot be maintained when the capacity of the younger generation is not build for the task ahead of them.
He added that this year, the organization had set its target on getting to school age children and youth in order to have them aware that there are better advantages of pursuing further studies in the areas of technology.
He said, “Women see technology as a field being dominated by their male counterparts so they prefer venturing in other areas like accounting, nursing etc leaving out computer, internet and technology.”
Roberts maintained that from said backdrop prominent women technicians serving as mentors were able to recruit younger women and girls for the training which had been fruitful after two days of online presentations and the final day of in-person interactions.
The digital and internet expert revealed that the best way to have Liberia on par with other nations when it comes to technology is to invest more in the sector and hold up stronger plans for awareness and capacity building programs.
“Bridging the gap of inequality in technology between male and female in the country have to do with funding more programs and capacity building. We also have to carry on awareness that will attract more females to the field; giving them scholarship and providing an open learning space,” Roberts asserted.
In separate presentations, the facilitators stressed the need for the participants to join the global community making internet and technology the most commonly used device in this age.
Mitchell Wolapaye, the former president of the ICT Association of Liberia, added that the country is not yet on steps leading to improving internet to all sectors.
According to Wolapaye’s presentation electronic governance, it is one thing lacking in the country that could minimize problems and situations across national leadership cutting down huge expenditure and corruption among others.
He added that the use of technology and electronic programs in the governance of every country serve as a means to generate more revenue and provide adequate service delivery for its people both at home and around the world.
“E-Government is bringing government to the people and it is the fastest way to get to the people. The political barrier around this is preventing it from expanding and this could minimize corruption and best services to the citizens,” he noted.
