Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma underlined the need for making cyber sensitization effective.
At a meeting with the office-bearers and members of the Computer Association Nepal Federation, Information and Communications Technology Women Committee, Minister Sharma highlighted the urgency of cyber literacy in keeping with the sensitivity of cyber security.
Informing that the government has advanced digital literacy programme through the current fiscal year budget, Minister Sharma said such sensitization programme has been taken ahead through ministerial agencies as well.
The
cyber security policy has been released in Nepal for the first time, she said, adding cyber security has been on the priority of the government.
Noting that the task of creating online space has been given priority in the cyber security policy through consistent monitoring of cyber safety, Minister Sharma said a policy provision however has been placed to prohibit online service targeted against women, children or sexual and gender minorities.
Sharma, also the government spokesperson, said the policy's objective was to end various forms of violence and discrimination through the use of internet and social networking sites.
The government has arranged scholarships in collaboration with the University Grants Commission to establish the access of disadvantaged groups to information technology sector, the minister informed. She also expressed the commitment to place emphasis on women in scholarships.
Handing over a memorandum to the Minister, the CAN Federation's Women Committee in Information Technology demanded rolling out literacy programme to enhance women participation in information technology, providing opportunity for mentorship and networking and expanding chances for women being respectful to diversity and inclusion.
Among other charters of demand were developing human capital of women, enhancing collaboration with women-centered communities and increasing inclusion and disable-friendly langue and connectivity and augmenting digital literacy, informed working committee member of the Federation and coordinator of women in information technology committee, Reena Shrestha. ---
