International Women’s Day 2023 : “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”

By Brenda Zulu 

The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. 

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2022/12/international-womens-day-2023-digitall-innovation-and-technology-for-gender-equality

In Zambia the theme gives us an opportunity to highlight the role that digital innovation and technology plays in advancing women's rights and opportunities.

This year we have experienced the changing rainfall patten in the Country following the impact of climate change. Different videos have been captured and shared online by the Media and also by women and men. We have seen how climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly those in low-income and marginalized communities that are currently flooded. The media has shown pictures of women bearing the burden of climate change as they are responsible for caring for their families.

In relation to the theme, digital tools and platforms can help women access climate information, connect with others, and participate in decision-making processes related to climate change. Furthermore, technology can support the development of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture practices that can improve women's economic opportunities and reduce their exposure to climate risks.

The mobile phone and the internet have helped women to communicate with others and access information. The mobile phone has also helped the unbanked to have access to mobile money. This has enabled women to also participate in eCommerce. Women can buy and sale online. 

With the mobile phone and computers women in Zambia have had access to e-learning opportunities. During the pandemic e-learning became more pronounced.

With the convergency of technologies the mobile phone has also helped women who call Radio Stations to participate in governance programs. In this case their voice has been heard and also able to reach a wide audience.

In some cases, technology has supported women's health by providing access to telehealth where they have accessed telemedicine and digital health services. 

On the other hand, there is need to recognise that there is still a gender digital divide among women in the urban and those in the rural areas. How can we promote gender equality, the use of innovations and ensure that technology is gender neutral? How do we address gender biases and promote diversity in the development and use of technology in Zambia.

The gender digital divide needs to be addressed as it has been an issue for a long time. It is a fact that women in the country are underrepresented in the tech industry and face various barriers, such as lack of access to technology and training and gender stereotypes. There is need to close this gap by promoting gender equality in the tech industry and ensuring that technology is developed and used in a way that is inclusive and fair. 

There is need to promote the participation of women in technology fields and access to education and training in tech, promote mentorship and networking opportunities, and encourage the recruitment and retention of women in tech-related jobs.

Also, there is need to ensure that technology is developed in a gender-neutral manner. This means ensuring that technology is accessible and usable to all, regardless of gender. People should avoid biases and stereotypes in the design and implementation of technology. 

For example, facial recognition technology has been criticized for being biased against women and people of color.

https://www.media.mit.edu/articles/facial-recognition-software-is-biased-towards-white-men-researcher-finds/#:~:text=Facial%20recognition%20software%20is%20biased%20towards%20white%20men%2C,and%20the%20conditions%20in%20which%20algorithms%20are%20created  

It is in such a case that developers must continue to work on the technology design to address such biases and ensure that the technology is accurate and fair for all users including women of colour.

It is important to promote diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry and ensure that technology is gender-neutral, so that we can create a more equitable and just world for all.

#IWD23

#Blogging101

My Digital Footprint on President Mugabe

By Brenda Zulu
During the reign of President Robert Mugabe, I travelled to Zimbabwe to process my visa for Switzerland. At the boarder,  Immigration Officers noticed that I was a Journalist and held on to my passport.

They cleared everyone except me because they said they had to run a search on me online to check if I had written negative stories on President Mugabe before they could allow me in the country.

As a Journalist I had written many stories on Zimbabwe.

The bus waited for me to be cleared as surveillance was in process. After they found nothing on me, Immigration Officers gave me a signed ultimatum of  48 hours compliance in Zimbabwe and released me to get on the bus.

All eyes where on me as I boarded the bus because it was delaying. The bus started off for the eight hour journey to Harare were the embassy was based and people wondered why I was made to wait by the Immigration Officers. I told  them it was because I was a Journalist and that there were  certain rules i should follow while in Zimbabwe.

The Immigration Officers instructed me never to write any story whilst in Zimbabwe and asked me to present the signed ultimatum form when exiting  Zimbabwe. For the first time in my travels, i encountered  the negative effect of having Journalist as a profession on the passport.

When I reached the Embassy of Switzerland in Harare, I presented my application for the Visa and also showed them the Ultimatum form that I was given by Immigration Officers.
Immediately, the Embassy Officials priotised my application and I  earned  a multi-entry VISA. My Visa for Switzerland was ready in an hour and immediately I started off for Zambia.

The ultimatum worked to my advantage. My exit was fast and i left the Ultimatum form with the Immigration Officers.

Internet Data Bundles have Opened Up at Airtel

By Africa Interactive Media Reporter

Airtel Zambia has got their game up with the continued data plans it has released on its subscribers, following the launch of the 4G network in some parts of the country in December 2017.

Use chaopena data bundles at all times 

The upgrade of the mobile network has brought in a “real deal” of affordable internet connectivity via the new ‘Chaopena data plans’. This deal offers reduced data bundles for as low as ZMK3 for a 60MB valid for a day up to ZMK1,500 for a 100GB valid for 90 days. With the fastest speeds of 4G, users can do various activities efficiently on their devices from downloading files, video and audio live streaming on various social media platforms like, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Networking couldn’t have gotten any easier and better than this.

An Airtel subscriber from within Lusaka Mr Martin Mtonga admits that he enjoys using ‘chaopena’ bundles because they are very economical to him which helps him stay connected anytime and anywhere. Martin mentions that in view of the reduction of bundles, Airtel is one leading mobile provider in the country that is setting a trend among Mobile Service providers in the country being the first to offer its customers with affordable data bundles and other promotional products/services that last longer. At a pace at which Airtel is moving when it comes to voice and internet connectivity, Mr Mtonga is confident that he will remain an Airtel subscriber to continue enjoying the ‘real deal’ offers.

Mr Mtonga’s ‘chopena’ story isn’t different for most Zambians on the Airtel network. Many Zambians across the country are enjoying with less top up for more internet bundles.

Airtel slashed off its data bundle rates as a result of the efficient running of the network it is enjoying after the upgrade. The activities of the upgrade from 3G to 4G has since helped Airtel Zambia save its operational costs thereby extending the benefits to its customers.

By Brenda Zulu
ANNOUNCING......
THE 5th EDITION OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SOCIAL FORUM 2009

Theme;
Southern Africa peoples Unity against Economic crisis and Oppression

Dear Friends;

Lesothowill be hosting the 5th edition of the Southern Africa Social Forum 2009 in Maseru, Lesotho from 6 - 9 October 2009.

This year’s SASF is expected to bring together thousands of participants from community-based groups, social movements and civil society organizations from SADC under the theme, ‘Southern Africapeoples Unity against Economic crisis and Oppression’

The Southern Africa Social Forum is a prelude to the African Social Forum (ASF) and World Social Forum (WSF) that take place annually. The first Southern African Social Forum was successfully held in 2003 Zambia, the 2nd edition was hosted by Zimbabwe, with the 3rd and 4th edition held in Malawi and Swaziland in 2006 and 2008 respectively.

The Social Forum is not an organization, not a united front platform, but "…an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and inter-linking for effective action, by groups and movements of civil society that are opposed to neo-liberalism and to domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism, and are committed to building a society centered on the human person". (From the WSF Charter of Principles).

Your participation and contribution

Economic Justice Network-Lesotho is pleased to invite you to apply for participation in this landmark event.

We envision your participation and involvement in the following ways:
1. Pay your travel costs to and from Maseru and accommodation costs.
2. Make the three day event stimulating by bringing in your experience, enthusiasm and commitment

EJN - Lesotho will in addition take responsibility for

1) coordination and administrative costs related to planning the event
2) Report writing and distribution

It is our sincere hope that you will plan to attend the Social Forum in
October. In the mean time you can help Economic Justice Network-Lesothoin its planning in a concrete way by completing and returning the attached form either by fax or email.

We look forward to hearing from you.

E-mail: info@ejnl.org.ls Or phone the Economic Justice Network Lesotho on telephone numbers Tel:(+266)22314124

Contact
Teboho Nonyana
Finance & Administration Officer: Economic Justice Network Lesotho (EJN-L)
Contacts: Tel: (+266)22314124
Fax:(+266)22315156
Email address: tnonyana@ejnl.org.ls
Website: www.ejnl.org.ls

Lack of Doctor at Mwange refugee camp cripples operation

By Brenda Zulu in Mporokoso

There is no Doctor to attend to over 17,990 refugees based at Mwange Refugee Camp situated 35 Km West of Mporokoso.

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Field Clerk Roy Mwamba said they have faced the challenge of recruiting a doctor. He said that it has been difficult to recruit a Doctor as they have been demanding to be paid between K15 and K20 million a month.

Mwamba said the problem was further perpetuated by Mporokoso District Health Doctor who does not want to attend to refugees making all referrals to Kasama very difficult. He said the problem has been going on since the beginning of this year. He added that the Doctor has further refused to attend to refugee patients. By Press Time the Doctor was reported to be in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Zambia Red Cross (ZRCS) Project Coordinator for Mwange refugee project David Phiri said the health sector at Mwange Refugee Camp lacks the Zambian Human Resource.

“Currently we have six workers instead of 12. We are less compared to the population at Mwange,” said Phiri. He added that it has been difficult to recruit and retain health staff at Mwange Refugee Camp attributing this to brain drain which has crippled the health sector.

He pointed out that there was an overload for Midwives in doing their job as Mwange Refugee Camp had a high birth rate and recorded between 80 to 90 births a day.

Phiri observed the deliveries were many for five midwives where there is currently only one Zambian and the other four are Congolese. Previously they had 17 midwives but the number reduced following the repatriation of refugees last year.

Constraints highlighted in the ZRCS Mwange Refugee Operation Joint Inter Agency Report include the delay in procurements and shipping of Medical, non medical laboratory supplies by UNHCR.

Mwange Camp Health sector has one facility which caters for the whole camp and the local Zambian community. Mwange Health provides curative health care, preventive and reproductive health activities including HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and TB and Leprosy.

Meanwhile, Mwange Senior Clinical Officer Richard Bwalya said he would like see refugees get fully immunised before their repatriation this year as he was not sure weather this was done in Congo DR.

Bwalya bemoaned the delay in the procurement for the full immunisation of the refugees from the District Health Office. By Press Time the District Health Officer for Mporokoso was reported to have been in Lusaka.

On HIV/AIDS, Bwalya said that they had a very low prevalence rate of 1.2% as they only have 7 people receiving ARVs. He added that there was no report of any disease outbreaks in the camp and the transit centres.

Coming up will be stories from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)paralle meetings taking place in Zambia.

There is the People's Summit and the Civil Society Forum taking place in Lusaka Zambia from 14 to 16Th August 2007