MUNASHE MUKAHLERA
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will tomorrow launch an initiative that promotes children’s access to the internet during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Access to internet has been disrupted in most developing countries as governments battle against the pandemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the globe.
UNICEF’s Internet of Good Things is an initiative (IoGTs) that aims to bridge the digital divide and build knowledge in societies by providing access to information on their mobile platform, for free.
Since 2015 the IoGTs initiative was launched in 65 countries and on the
5th of June, UNICEF is partnering with Econet Wireless – which has
around 13 million mobile subscribers- to launch in Zimbabwe, with
the IoGT website zero-rated, meaning it is free to access for any Econet
user through their mobile phones.
The IoGT features mobile-packaged content from UNICEF and
partners designed to make life-saving and life-improving information
available for free, even on low-end devices and basic web-enabled mobile phones.
The virtual launch will take place on the 5th of June at 2000hrs CAT,
broadcast on ZiFM Stereo and livestreamed through ZiFM, UNICEF
Zimbabwe and Econet Wireless Facebook Pages.
The music show
will have performances from Jah Prayzah, Tammy Moyo, Long John,
Gemma Griffiths, and Asaph, hosted by Misred and Themba Mkanda.
UNICEF Chief of Communications, James Maiden, said giving
free access to information is key in ensuring that all citizens get relevant
content at any given time especially during this time of the Covid-19
pandemic.
“The IoGT is delivering essential information and lifesaving recommendations about diseases such as COVID-19 and Cholera, maternal
health, hygiene, HIV and sexual health for adolescents, child online
protection, positive parenting, education resources and more.
Providing quality education, messages and information will
help children grow and develop to their full potential.
It will also
help mothers, fathers, other family members, frontline workers, caregivers, service providers and communities stay safe and protect the
lives of children across the country.”
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
