Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya has emphasized that fear of public opinion is a significant obstacle preventing women in Eswatini from pursuing their dreams and advancing their careers. Speaking at the InnovationHer Indaba, Maziya encouraged women to overcome this fear and invest in themselves. The event, held at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre, brought together women from various backgrounds to discuss emerging trends in technology and innovation.
The InnovationHer Indaba is an initiative of entrepreneur, communications strategist, and wellness advocate Nadja Smoor. The event aimed to expose participants to new trends in technology and innovation, providing a platform for women to network and share ideas. Maziya challenged women to re-evaluate their priorities and focus on personal development, careers, and businesses. She emphasized the importance of self-investment, urging women to make it a priority.
Maziya noted that women often allow fear of being judged by others to dictate their choices, preventing them from starting businesses, leaving unhappy relationships, or pursuing opportunities. She questioned why women continue to worry about what others think, when those people have their own problems and challenges. According to Maziya, women are effectively stealing opportunities from themselves by allowing fear to dictate their choices.
The Minister urged women to stop living their lives according to others' expectations and instead focus on understanding themselves beyond their roles as family members and members of society. She challenged participants to ask themselves who they really are, beyond titles such as mother or wife. Maziya emphasized that women should take time to understand themselves and prioritize their own needs.
Maziya also highlighted the importance of confidence, particularly for young girls. She challenged mothers to raise daughters who believe in themselves and are not defined by the attention or approval of men. Instead, girls should be taught confidence and encouraged to inspire themselves and others. Maziya warned against raising girls to believe that their worth is measured by men's attention or approval.
The Minister discussed the impact of technology on traditional careers, noting that artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent. She questioned whether women are adequately prepared to take advantage of new job opportunities created by technology. Maziya stated that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology is working to build capacity in the country, particularly among women, by providing opportunities to learn about AI, data analysis, and cybersecurity without charge.
Maziya called for greater solidarity among women, urging them to support one another rather than competing destructively. She challenged women to ensure they not only have a place at decision-making tables but also occupy leadership positions. Reflecting on her own role in government, Maziya emphasized the importance of serving the nation with dignity, responsibility, and commitment.
Key points
- Women in Eswatini are being urged to overcome fear of public opinion and invest in themselves to pursue their dreams and advance their careers.
- The Minister of Information, Communication and Technology emphasized the importance of self-investment, confidence, and solidarity among women.
- The Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology is working to build capacity among women in emerging areas such as AI, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
