Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 24th April 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
In a bold move to bridge the gender digital divide and empower young girls to thrive in the digital economy, Zambia’s Government Chief Technology Officer, Ms. Kasali Musenge, officially launched the Girls in ICT Learn-A-Thon 2025 during the International Girls in ICT Day commemoration held at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).
Under the global theme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” the event underscored the nation’s commitment to fostering gender equity in technology. Far beyond a ceremonial gathering, the launch marked a strategic shift toward inclusive digital participation for Zambian girls — both in urban centers and rural communities.
“The future is not just coming — it is yours to build,” Ms. Musenge declared, addressing hundreds of girls, educators, and technology stakeholders from across the country. Her remarks reinforced Zambia’s vision of equipping girls with the tools and opportunities to lead as innovators in the digital age.
Developed in collaboration with the Cisco Networking Academy, the three-week Learn-A-Thon initiative will deliver hands-on training in Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Science — three of the most critical and in-demand fields in today’s tech landscape. Delivered by locally trained Cisco instructors, the programme is designed to reach girls in all provinces, ensuring equitable access to high-quality digital education.
This initiative builds upon the foundation laid by the 2022 Girls in ICT programme, which trained over 100 girls from underserved schools. The 2025 Learn-A-Thon represents a significant evolution — shifting from basic digital literacy to deep engagement with emerging technologies.
“These are not just training sessions,” Ms. Musenge emphasized. “They are platforms for igniting ambition and embedding the belief that every girl belongs in technology — not at the margins, but at the heart of innovation.”
With only 35% of Zambia’s population currently possessing basic digital skills — and girls disproportionately underrepresented — the Learn-A-Thon arrives at a critical moment. Global participation in Girls in ICT Day exceeded 100,000 girls across 150 countries in 2024, illustrating the scale and urgency of the movement toward inclusive digital empowerment.
As a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) since 2019, Zambia is aligning this national effort with global goals — including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Eighth National Development Plan — to ensure every girl has the opportunity to engage meaningfully in the digital era.
Infrastructure development is already underway. Through the Smart Zambia Institute’s Electronic Government Division, 58 Starlink kits have been deployed to enhance connectivity in schools, with 86 additional schools set to join the National Wide Area Network in 2025. These investments aim to expand access to e-learning platforms and digital tools in underserved areas.
Additionally, the Learn-A-Thon is supported by Zambia’s National Cybersecurity Act No. 2 of 2021, which prioritizes the creation of safe online spaces for children and young learners — further strengthening the country’s child online protection framework.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Musenge called upon all sectors — government agencies, mobile network providers, educators, civil society, and private sector partners — to actively support Zambia’s future female tech leaders.
“We must invest in digital labs, scholarships, mentorship, and the infrastructure that enables every girl to innovate without limits,” she said. “Let us power a Zambia where every girl is connected, capable, and confident. Where she doesn’t just use technology — she drives it.”
The Girls in ICT Learn-A-Thon is more than a skills programme; it is a bold vision for a digitally inclusive and empowered Zambia.
The Agency.