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Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and courier Services has invited industries to join the Giga initiative, a joint program between UNICEF and ITU that aims at providing internet connection to every school in the world.
Speaking to delegates at a panel discussion at the Zimbabwe International Trade Affair (ZITF) regarding the issue, Hon Muswere applauded UNICEF and ITU for joining hands to come up with the very important developmental initiative.
“We are extremely grateful and excited as Zimbabwe to have been honoured to be one of the high impact countries in the continents of Asia, Caribbean, and Africa where this project will be initially rolled out. The project comes at a crucial time where the need to accelerate connectivity is more critical than ever before considering our experiences during the pandemic COVID-19.
“The health crisis has shown the importance of internet access as nations across the globe have been forced to work and especially children to learn online. Schools have closed – disrupting teaching and learning and creating a near crisis in the education sector and in our children due to limited or non-existent infrastructure to connect to distance learning and other essential services,” Dr. Muswere said.
The minister said the current situation demonstrates the importance of an accelerated approach to providing connectivity, online learning, and other initiatives for the children and young people to empower them as the future leaders of economies.
“As Zimbabwe, we have not wasted any time but hastened to fulfill the initial requirements of the project. We have already ratified Giga and put up structures including a steering committee and work plan for the implementation of the project. We are in the process of updating the live mapping of schools to identify where connectivity is required and we are also encouraging the business community to join in and participate in the implementation as a way of contributing to the project.
“This GIGA aims to connect all schools by 2030, therefore comes at an opportune time and is a perfect fit with our economic strategies as Government of Zimbabwe as enunciated in the national ICT Policy, National Development Strategy-1, national e-learning strategy, and our national vision 2030. These speak to the country becoming a digital economy and Upper Middle-Income nation by 2030.”
He said the ICT ministry is busy advancing the implementation of the National e-Learning Strategy through various initiatives, including the provision of free internet services to schools that already have connectivity, the ongoing computerization of schools, and the provision of internet services through Community Information Centers and Community Village Information Centers.
The focus, complemented by Giga is on providing the requisite ICT infrastructure for all schools, particularly those in the remote areas of the country to enable them to connect. At this point in time the demand for ICTs in particular bandwidth, gadgets, and appropriate application platforms to allow online working has increased tremendously.
Zimbabwe’s internet penetration rate currently stands at 59% and all efforts are being made to attain 100% which access is a right and not a privilege hence the interest in the initiative.
The minister said the project will therefore accelerate efforts to bridge the digital divide and avail access to educational resources and the wealth of information available online particularly for children to identify the vast opportunities that are available for them in order to empower them to exploit their full potential.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) running from April 26-30, 2022, is the country’s leading industry, trade, and networking event, bringing together the largest gathering of companies, leaders, and thinkers from around the country, the region, and globally. Under the theme “Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent-Value Chains for Economic Development” the 62nd Fair provides an opportunity for industry to come together to formulate change strategies and linkages that will meet the everchanging global landscape.
The business sector plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of a country. The business sector is also a key partner towards ensuring the fulfillment of the rights of children, through different actions. Business as provider of good and services for children and families; business as employer; business impact on communities and environment, business as source of technology, innovation, and finance; and the voice and influence of the business in society.
As part of the Business for Results Initiative, UNICEF is committed to accelerating results for children and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an engagement with business. Businesses working with UNICEF contribute to the realization of the rights of children by (1) funding programmes for children, (2) by providing their skills, expertise and knowledge to deliver results for children, (3) by using their influence to advocate for the rights of children and work with the government to regulate the business environment to be child friendly, and (4) by changing their own business practices and promote children’s rights through the workplace.
Mobilizing the Zimbabwe business sector for children
Using the ZITF as a unique rallying point to mobilize Zimbabwe’s private sector, the Government of Zimbabwe, ZITF and UNICEF Zimbabwe hosted a business leadership event that aims to mobilize Zimbabwe’s businesses to contribute through their business policies and practices to the fulfillment of the rights of children.
The leadership event was structured around a panel discussion where key leaders in Zimbabwe’s business sector, together with the Government of Zimbabwe, UNICEF Zimbabwe and key stakeholders discussed opportunities that, in the short and long term, can turn the Zimbabwe business sector into a strong advocate and actor for the rights of children, thereby contributing to a child friendly and prosperous Zimbabwe.