Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza has stressed the need to incorporate women and girls in innovation and technology for them to realise their full potential.

The Minister, who was speaking when she officially opened the Non-Governmental Organisation Commission on the Status of Women 67 in Lilongwe on Tuesday, observed that there are only a few women and girls who have access to innovation and digital technology in Africa.

The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

This year’s CSW will be commemorated in New York, United States of America from March 6 to 17 under the theme “Innovation and Technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

She said this is why the Africa Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (20220-2030) is advocating for reducing the gap by putting women and girls at the centre of technological change.

“The use of technology has transformed or agriculture, health, education, transport, financial, hospitality and other sectors in our countries.

The potential impact of technology and innovation cannot be underscored,” said the Minister.

Sendeza said Malawi is making strides by supporting innovation, citing the K300 million allocation to the Science and Technology Fund through the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) to provide solar generated electricity in rural areas.

Chairperson for the NGO Gender Coordination Network, Barbara Banda said there is need for women and girls to make use of the digital space and get ideas to promote agriculture, education and other important areas.

UN Women Representative in Malawi, Letty Chiwara, commended Malawi for creating a conducive environment for civil society organisations.

“Most countries see CSOs as aliens, but Malawi embraces them, it opens spaces for CSOs to thrive,” she said.