Mmabatho - The North West provincial government is providing a forum for women to improve their skills in Information Communications Technologies (ICT), and discuss a wide range of issues in the sector.

The North West Women in ICT Indaba will take place at the Mmabatho convention centre Wednesday, where delegates will take part in practical training sessions, demonstrations and discussions on ICT with stakeholders in the sector.

“For larger numbers of women to use the technologies more effectively, they will need to be more available, affordable, and accessible,” Premier Edna Molewa said Tuesday.

“Getting informed about and involved with ICT policy issues is critical to the women’s empowerment agenda.”

The Indaba, which is being pioneered by Premier Molewa, is the starting point for a regional and wider effort to introduce ICT in people’s lives, and break barriers causes by the digital divide.

The provincial government would like to see communities adopt and adapt to ICT so as to overcome development challenges, barriers and obstacles in the region.

It believes that women, especially those in rural areas, need to be shown the relevance of ICT to their lives, and how they can assist in expanding their livelihood options.

The Indaba is being organised and hosted by the Government Information Technology Officer and the Office for the Status of Women (OSW) in the Office of the Premier, in partnership with the South African Non Governmental Coalition, North West.

They delegates will take part in technology demonstrations and practical training sessions, which will cover a range of topics to deepen their understanding and to enhance their ICT skills.

As part of gender mainstreaming Initiatives, some of the objectives of the Indaba are to raise awareness on ICTs and their benefits, introduce women to the various dimensions of ICT and discuss the challenges of computer illiteracy.

The delegates from government departments, civil society, state owned enterprises and business women, will also discuss how they can promote the use of ICT and software tools for learning and action for community development.

The Indaba also aims to introduce participants, particularly young girls, to careers and opportunities in the ICT sector.

All women members of the Provincial Executive Council and the Legislature are expected to participate at the Women in ICT Indaba in preparation for the African Women’s Day Celebrations in March 2008. - BuaNews