Parliament, Monday, 11 October 2021 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba, calls on South Africans to observe the International Day of the Girl Child which is observed annually on October 11.
The International Day of the Girl Child is a day set by the United Nations (UN) to urge the global community to embolden gender equality impacts. This year, the UN urges the world to bridge the gender digital divide that exists in diverse skills and jobs, a challenge that society is increasingly facing due to the prevailing coronavirus disease Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the UN, the gender digital divide in connectivity, devices and use, skills and jobs is real. Ms Ncube-Ndaba said South Africans must respond to the call by the UN of addressing the reality of inequity and exclusion gap that exists if the digital revolution is to be for all, with all, by all.
Ms Ncube-Ndaba added: “We must take this call as South Africans very serious as in our situation exclusion of women in general is one of the historical and fundamental challenges that continues even in the constitutional dispensation. We must ensure that the South African girl children are at the cutting edge of the digital revolution.”
Notwithstanding the potential benefits of bridging the digital divide, the committee remains cognisant of the harmful impact social media platforms can have on girls and women. Based on that, it calls for protective measures to be put in place and that all role players such as government, private sector and families take responsibility in this regard.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, MS NONHLANHLA NCUBE-NDABA
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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