Women embrace mobile ICT services

KIREHE - More women from Kirehe have embraced the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)’s mobile ICT services, a project designed to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. Talking to The New Times yesterday, Benson Muhikira, the district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic affairs, said that the district is set to benefit once the population acquires basic computer skills. “The women going for the training are farmers, nurses and teachers. They will be instrumental in disseminating ICT skills to others at work or in cooperatives,” he said.Patrick Kajyambere, the RDB ICT trainer, noted that the computer training is complementary to the mobile phones. “The digital divide is narrowing, especially with mobile phones…ICT too, will be following suit. With the mobile device, it is indisputable that we will reach even the remotest person in villages,” he said. Bernadette Nyirandengeyima, a farmer in Nyakarambi village, said that digital prosperity and opportunity for rural women cannot be taken for granted. “We are not excited by the mere touch of a mouse; we want to buy computers to help us keep our farm data in a safe and proper way. In this century, we shouldn’t be battling with rats and paper,” she said. Rose Mukankuranga, 53, a nurse in Rwanteru trading centre, said ICT literacy will help her store patients and medicine records appropriately. RDB mobile devices and services are set to be stationed in Kirehe District for eight months. Ends

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Women embrace mobile ICT services