DIPR
Imphal, Dec 5,
The women of the North East, particularly women of Manipur are highly talented and they deserve to be sufficiently empowered with the digital technology for a space in this highly competitive world. This was stated by Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla today at the launching of Digital Literacy and Online Safety Programme at Sangal Conference Hall, Imphal Hotel. The programme is a nationwide campaign to digitally empower young girls and women. The campaign is aimed towards sensitizing women and capacity building to help navigate in the internet space but has also empower them to protect themselves and actively respond to issues and incidents like cyber crimes.
The Governor, who graced the launching programme as Chief Guest said the Central Government recently launched the Digital Northeast Vision Document, 2022 in Guwahati on 18th August, 2018 with the objective to improve digital connectivity and infuse digital literacy in the North East States in tandem with other States of the country. The Central Government’s flagship programme ‘Digital India’ launched in 2015 has newly incorporated the North-East Region into the programme.
She also expressed her pleasure that as part of the pilot project under Digital Literacy Programme over a one year period, awareness training will be conducted for sixty thousand women in universities across major cities of Haryana, Delhi, NCR, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Meghalaya and Sikkim on safe and responsible use of internet, social media and e-mail. The programme will enable trainees to differentiate between credible and questionable information circulated digitally. Internet has come to stay in the modern society and it is playing a role in our everyday lives like no other technology ever, she added.
On the positive side, it has given people opportunity to connect and stay connected with people, explore professional skilling and grooming, share information and participate in the global race for development. She also cautioned that it is crucial for everyone to be aware about safety practices, basic security and privacy tools.
The number of internet users among women is few in India due to lack of digital awareness and literacy about different platforms, their potential and opportunities for a smart usage. There are successful women running cosmetic product businesses through social media from their homes, women self-help groups selling local village produce on E-Commerce platforms and homemakers showcasing their food delicacies on YouTube. Women have launched great start-ups online and are pioneering some very successful ones having worked on technology, offering solutions to modern day problems of the people.
In India, we need to solve the problem of lack of inclusion of women in the Internet using population through technology capacitation and it is encouraging that the rate of inclusion is fast catching up. Along with access to devices and technology, women also need to be aware about how to use them. It is heartening to know that the present initiative of National Commission for Women has already reached out to close to twelve thousand women across the country and it is very encouraging to hear stories of women who have benefitted from a campaign.
Minister of Social Welfare Smt. Nemcha Kipgen who graced the occasion as Guest of honour said that the launch of Digital Literacy and Online Safety Programme is for the women of North East, especially for uplifting and digitally empowering the lives of womenfolks of Manipur. The programme seeks to promote digital literacy for women including the precautions that can be taken, raising awareness about cyber crimes through the use of internet. Minister also stated that the current use of internet by literate women is still low in the rural and hilly area which is due to the lack of awareness, ignorance and lack of services as well.
Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Smt. Rekha Sharma addressing the gathering said that women are empowered because of digitalization. Safety of women is a top priority with the knowledge to use internet safely and cautiously. She also said that the Commission will organize the same event in Meghalaya and Sikkim in the coming week.
The programme was attended by NCW member, Smt. Soso Shaiza, President, Cyber Peace Foundation, Capt. Vineet Kumar, Policy Programme Manager, India and South Asia, Facebook, Smt. Shruti Moghe, Joint Secretary, NCW A. Asholi Chalai, students amongst other. The programme was jointly organized by National Commission for Women, Cyber Peace Foundation and Facebook
