ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Ministry of Information Technology is establishing 150 Women Empowerment Centers at Pakistan Bait-ul-mal (PBM) as part of “ICTs for Girls “project. These centers are being equipped with state of the art computer labs and broadband infrastructure. At these centers thousands of young girls from disadvantaged background will be trained by Microsoft led program.
The Digital Skills program by Microsoft comprises of 4 Cs including computing, coding, and communication and coaching to increase their employability potential. Under this program first phase of training by Microsoft is completed, through which 100 Master Trainers from all across Pakistan have been trained. As part of Phase I, establishment of computer labs with allied broadband infrastructure for 50 empowerment centers are in process to be placed.
Minister for IT, Mrs. Anusha Rahman said, “Present Government is committed towards an all inclusive society with enhanced empowerment of women through a well structured enabling environment that could guarantee their financial autonomy. We are conscious of our social responsibility. Through technological capacity building, the women and girls under this program shall prove to be great asset for the economic engine of the country.”
MD PBM Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh told that various steps have been taken for the renovation and up-gradation of Women Empowerment Centers during last three years. He said that this program intends to empower women through Information and Communication Technologies. The initiative exerted considerable efforts to enhance ICT technical capabilities of women, develop their entrepreneurial capabilities in order to promote their social and economic empowerment. While expressing his gratitude to Ministry of Information Technology, USF and Microsoft Barrister Abid Waheed underlined the significance of realizing collective responsibility in finding out the key solution for comprehensive development, poverty eradication and the empowerment of disadvantaged groups.