At least 2,832 young women across the country are set to benefit from the third phase of a program aimed at training them on digital skills and the development of local relevant digital media content.
Dubbed ‘COVID-19 and Digital Employability Phase III – Digital Content Creation Skills’, the program was officially launched on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
It targets to enhance livelihoods for young women aged between 18 and 34.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) through the British High Commission in Nairobi and the African Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT), among other partners.
Speaking during the launch of the program, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Principal Secretary Esther Koimett commended the United Kingdom (UK) Government for the support that the FCDO, through the Digital Access Programme, continue to avail to state agencies under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs.
The PS lauded the program, noting that it resonates well with the Government’s desire to empower young people for wealth and job creation through Ajira and other relevant projects.
She noted that the digital economy has gained substantial importance within the global economy as a driver of innovation and competitiveness, adding that digital technologies have become the cornerstone of Government and private sector operations as well as a builder of the economy.
“I am glad to note that you are also spearheading the Cyber Hygiene Programme that seeks to create awareness among 30,000 Excluded and Marginalized Digital Populations in Kenya. This shall go a long way in empowering 1,000 upcoming artistes (women) as well as sensitizing them on the regulations governing the creation of audio-visual content,” said Koimett.
“As we seek to seize the significant opportunities that digital technologies present us, it is worth noting that the prospects presented by digital spaces and technological advances are extremely immense, hence the need to adopt and adapt to new technologies. The now ballooning global market and increased connectedness call for tailored policies that help us exploit online spaces in confidence. The Government remains committed to ensuring the ease and safety of users at all stages,” she added.
The PS further urged content creators to arise to the fact that the digital economy is the new driver for innovation and competitiveness
Themed: ‘Enhancing Livelihoods for Vulnerable Women Through Digital Skilling, Development of Local Relevant Digital Media Content’, the program also seeks to inspire young women to either join or grow in digital spaces for employability.
KFCB acting Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Wambua, on his part thanked the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for picking the board as among the implementing partners of the program.
He said the program is anchored on the Board’s Media Literacy function on consumer advisory aimed at sensitizing digital content producers, exhibitors, and distributors on standards of digital content creation, compliance, and monetization.
“As part of our engagement in this noble program, KFCB has already mobilized the targeted 1,000 participants in readiness for the training,” Wambua said.
African Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Constantine Obuya said their programs have reached at least 250,000 women in a bid to help them grow in digital skills for employability.