KIGALI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan women were urged Wednesday to embrace the use of technology and innovation during celebrations to mark International Women's Day.
The day was marked under the theme "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality". The celebrations featured exhibitions of women's innovative products aimed to recognize the advancement of technology and innovation in women's development.
"This year's theme is very topical and timely. Innovation and technology are shaping the way we live and work, and this became so evident with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its unprecedented curbing measures. Technology and innovation are enablers to development," Jennet Kem, UN Women Country Representative in Rwanda, said during the event in Nyagatare District in eastern Rwanda.
She noted that while digital technology plays an important role in facilitating service and information delivery, there is a need to be conscious of its negative impacts.
"Cybercrimes are driving women away from platforms. There is digital abuse and injustice. Let all people challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to online bias, and seek inclusion," she said.
Nyirajyambere Bellancilla, the chairperson of Rwanda's National Women's Council, described technology and innovation as the foundation of change aimed at enhancing people's living standards.
When a woman is involved, this change happens faster because women are change makers, she said.
Besides using technology, it is important for women to enhance creativity in how to apply technology, said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda's minister of ICT and innovation.
She said 48 percent of Rwandan women own smartphones compared to 51 percent of men. "The figures are yet to reach where we want them to be; that's why I appeal to my fellow women to embrace the use of technology."
The minister also urged parents to take young girls to school and encourage them to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects because they have the capacity to do it.
In a tweet, Rwandan President Paul Kagame also saluted all women in Rwanda and globally, saying "we are with you in this gender equality struggle in its real sense."
