To boost economic growth: P&T Minister challenges women to equip selves, promote responsible online behaviors.

The member of government has also challenged women to exploit the economic opportunities offered by the various digital platforms. She made the call in Yaounde Tuesday. 

This was at the start of a one-day workshop organised by the Association of Women of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The gathering also marked the launch of an initiative dubbed “F-Cybersecurity Cameroon”.

The initiative is aimed at drilling the women in the public service about the issues and challenges of digital transformation.

It was held under the theme: “The leading woman in the promotion of cybersecurity and promoter of the responsible use of social medias”. 

Minister Li Likeng was accompanied at the gathering by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa. 

Influence exemplary online behaviors

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Li Likeng said the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has over the years, disturbingly faced challenges in its endless efforts aimed at promoting the responsible use of digital tools in Cameroon as firmly instructed by President Paul Biya.

She urged the women present at the gathering and their peers in the private sector, whom she said will also be brought on board in the newly-launched scheme, to get themselves equipped and join government in its battle against the irresponsible use of the social media.

“Women are the key actors in the education of the family. All over the world and in Cameroon in particular, we are faced with digital transformation. And one of the threats about that which we are working on handling is cyber criminality. We cannot do it without women,” the minister said, while challenging the women to play roles of influencers at the level of their families.

The minister told the women that prioritising capacity building is the only way through which the women can efficiently utilise their God-given power to talk their children and husband into distancing themselves from the unruly online behaviors that is endangering lives and destroying others. 

“If you want to tackle a problem like what we are facing from cybercrime, you need to involve the whole society, particularly women. Because when we boost women’s capacity, they become able to head to their families, including their husbands and children and protect all of them online,” the minister said. 

Women challenged to tap from economic openings 

Besides the call for women’s active engagement in the promotion of responsible behavioral patterns online, Minister Libom Li Likeng also challenged the women to get themselves brace to fully tap from the economic opportunities offered by digital platforms.

The member of government insisted that online platforms have their positive openings despite the dark sides, urging the women to, like the Head of State has consistently been drumming in the couple of years, use the tool in positioning themselves as key players in Cameroon’s 2035 emergence efforts. 

“We also need women to be trained to become key actors in the development of the digital economy. Through their autonomy, the become fully aware that there are a lot of opportunities for them to exploit online while knowing that there is a need to go along with that in a responsible manner so as not to make themselves vulnerable to cybercriminals,” the minister said.

Women say already toeing line 

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the President of the Association of Women of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications known by its French appellation, La Tutelle, Pende Rolande, said women have gradually noticed the dangers and positive sides of social networks.

Pende who is a Chief of service at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications said the women will hid to call by the minister and continue training themselves to ensure they better handle the obstacles and make the best of the positive sides. 

“We have to be active both for our families and our administration,” Pende stated.

“Digital tools are very good when properly used. We may use it to harm ourselves if handled carelessly. That is why we are hoping that we will meet our target of changing the narrative,” she added about the “F-Cybersecurity Cameroon”. 

This story was first Published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3192 of Wednesday August 07, 2024