ATRA launches EQUELS program in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Telecommunication Regularity Authority (ATRA) on Monday launched the National Gender Equality program (EQUELS) in Kabul.

The equal participation of women or EQUELS is a global program and its branch in Afghanistan was officially inaugurated by ATRA.

At the inaugural ceremony, ATRA chief Omar Mansoor Ansari said the aim of the program in Afghanistan was to ensure equal participation of women and men in the digital arena.

He added the program could play an important role in raising women’s awareness, political will and proper use of resources.

He said the program would provide job opportunities to all women in the country who want to work.

Ansari added the program would increase women’s access to technology to connect them with each other.

He said: “Paving the way for women to improve their skills in science, engineering, technology and mathematics is a major part of EQUELS.”

Abbas Basir, the Minister of Higher Education, said more girls than boys had participated in the digital arena in Balkh and Herat in the 1399 solar year.

Sa/ma