Introduction
Girl in ICT is celebrated each forth of April every year, so as to motivate and encourage girls to consider carriers in the field of ICT.
For the first time YWCA of Tanzania celebrated Girls in ICT Day on 23rd April 2015 at YWCA Dar es Salaam Branch where young enthusiastic girls attended
to learn about ICT. YWCA of Tanzania in collaboration with Computing Information Association organized a successful one-day event that influenced
positive change in the young girls.
Objectives
The objectives of the event were to:
1. To motivate young girls to consider carrier in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT)
2. To give young girls practical training on the use of ICT devices.
Sessions
As per YWCA tradition the event was officially opened with a prayer and welcome notes from the YWCA of Tanzania Dar es Salaam Branch Secretary, Ms.
Monica Kimaro and the YWCA of Tanzania Dar es Salaam Branch Board Member, Ms. Devotha Nyenza, YWCA of Tanzania Enabling Economic Empowerment and
Justice for Women and Young Girls Program Coordinator, Ms. Jesca Mmari, informed the participants of the purpose and objectives of the training. The
following sessions followed:
i. ICT Capacity and Needs Assessment
Young girls were evaluated to determine their immediateknowledge on and use of ICT. The analysis showed that most of the participants had very little
knowledge on ICT and how to use its devices
ii. Panel Session
Participants got to hear from the Deputy Chairperson of Computing Information Association, Mr. Nisile Kaswaga,and the General Secretary of Computing
Information Association Mr. Boniphace Malale. The participants were informed of the opportunities available in ICT field and how other young women have
explored the field and succeeded to develop business ventures that have helped them and their communitiesearn more income. They advised the
participants to change the old perception that ICT is a manly field that women cannot easily understand, but rather work on their interest in ICT since
people tend to do the best in the things they like. The panelists then urged the participants to learn more about ICT knowledge and explore the
opportunities that come along with it.
iii. Group Work: ICT Sessions
Participants where then given an opportunity to have practical ICT training. Due to the participant’s limited knowledge in ICT, the young girls were
given basic training on how to use a computer. One of the participants said "she never thought that it was that easy to use a computer for starters" as
the facilitator was directing them how to start using a computer. This was a very moving learning experience since some of the young girls had never
used or even touched a computer before in their lives but yet were very eager to learn about it. The young girls then opened email addresses and were
taught how to operate browsers and search engines. The facilitator also enabled the young women with skills on how they could earn income through
social media since most of the participants use social media but do not know how they can earn extra money through it. As youth tend to use social
media very often, they were also taught on the good and bad use of the media.
The event ended up with young women asking for more trainings like this to learn more about ICT and opportunities. Most of the young women were eager
to join the ICT field but lack the opportunity to do so as they live in hard situations that won’t allow for the opportunity as some of the
participants were young mothers. Print media from both local and regional newspapers, attended the event and interviewed some of the participants. The
newspaper articles were published on Sunday 3rd May 2015.
Conclusion
The event was such a success as many of young girls were glad to learn the basic skills on computer and how to easily browse through the internet. At
the end every girls was eager to learn more about ICT. Some of the young girls said it was an eye opener on the use of social media, as some of them do
not know the effect of misusing the social media.
"Every young girl in the society deserves a chance in education and especially in ICT"
Way-forward
Young girls requested for more days like this so as they can learn more about ICT as they expressed a keen interest to join the field but their biggest
challenge is access to the study of ICT as most of the courses are costly and the participants at the event lives in a difficult situation.
If YWCA Dar Branch could be facilitated with more computers so as more young girls can learn more about ICT, with the help of Computing Information
Association who provides a practical training it could be a big step towards influencing and facilitating girls to join ICT.
To make the outcome of the event sustainable the project coordinator will keep in touch with young girls by encouraging them regularly to keep in touch
through email and later on opening a Facebook page so that the young girls can share different opportunities in ICT, social issues, opportunities and
marketing their product through social media.
article_from_citizen_newspaper.pdf
