The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, which is celebrated this year under the theme, ‘Digital generation. Our Generation.’
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission hailed this year’s theme for being more relevant in this digital era but however said the internet use benefit boys more than their female counterparts.
“Today the world revolves around technology (a digital world) and hence the theme cannot be more relevant. The need for and use of technology has been intensified by the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However as with other gender disparities in resources and benefits, there is also a digital divide which results in men and boys benefitting disproportionately to women and girls in terms of access to and use of digital technology.” Read the statement.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission however argued that for a girl child to be protected, there should be gender-sensitive digital revolution and without it, the girl child is vulnerable and continues to suffer online bullying and harassment.
“The digital option only serves to provide yet another form of aggravated gender- based violence that takes place online rendering such spaces unsafe. This has restricted some girl’s use of the digital technology for fear of victimisation and online safety concerns.
“Insufficient legal and other means of improving safety in digital platforms make it imperative for enhanced digital governance.” The statement further read.
The International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations; it is also called the Day of Girls and the International Day of the Girl. October 11, 2012, was the first Day of the Girl Child.
