ISLAMABAD: 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.
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