LL deputy mayor advocates for computer lessons

Lilongwe City Council (LCC) deputy mayor Juliana Kaduya says information and communications technology (ICT) can play a critical role in strengthening citizen participation in democratic governance.

Speaking at Lilongwe Community Centre on Saturday when she presented certificates to 130 girls and women who have completed basic computer skills, Kaduya said worldwide, ICT has proven to be effective in creating an empowered society through information sharing.

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust introduced free computer lessons to girls and women in Lilongwe Urban as part of its initiative to transform citizen participation.

She said: “The success of our democracy depends on an informed citizenry, particularly young people and women.”

Kaduya pleaded with Nice to extend the free computer studies to all the councils in the country.

Tiyamike Chasuluka, 19, and Mary Thauzeni, 26, said the skills acquired have empowered them to appreciate the importance of young people to participate in social and geopolitical life of their societies.

Nice district civic education officer (Lilongwe Urban) Hajira Ali said her Nice initiated free computer lessons to create civic empowerment among girls and women. n