Why DP William Ruto wants women to embrace technology

NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has urged women organizations to embrace new technology to improve service provision. 

Ruto said knowledge and skills in technology would ensure efficiency and increase productivity. 

Speaking during the launch of Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) Panguza Programme, a joint initiative with Intel Corporation, Mr. Ruto said the country will prosper through science and technology.

Present were Information, Communication and Technology CS Joe Mucheru, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Mrs Rachel Ruto, the Joywo patron and Intel General Manager, East Africa, Danie Steyn. 

“Kenya has hardworking youth and women who can transform the lives of our people if they are helped to get access to technology and credit facilities,” said Ruto. 

“We have to think about Kenya of the future where we have more value-added activity to drive growth,” he added. 

The Panguza Programme aims at training JOYWO women to be technology savvy and competent. 

“Unless we embrace technology, we will not achieve our development targets especially now that the world is becoming a global village,” said Ruto. 

The Deputy President said the Government is giving priority to issues of technology to accelerate development citing the laptop project being rolled out to primary schools across the country. 

“Our focus is now on technology. It is better to understand technology so as to be sure of where we are going in the future,” he said during the function held at his Karen official residence on Monday. 

He said more than 50 percent of jobs in the public service currently require some level of knowledge in technology noting that in the next few years the situation will be different. 

“It is now a good sign that service delivery has improved in most government departments, thanks to technology,” said Ruto. 

“If you do not understand issues pertaining to technology, you might not be in business for long or achieve your development goals,” added Mr. Ruto. 

Steyn said the Corporation will help women access the basic knowledge in technology. 

“Most women do not have basic skills of technology that can help them improve on service delivery. We will work with JOYWO in assisting women to be self reliant on matters of technology,” said Steyn. 

“As a Corporation, we will empower them with skills required to achieve their needs,” he added. 

Mucheru said time is ripe for women to embrace technology to cope up with challenges associated with it. 

“As the world moves to the technological era, women should not be left behind,” he said.