RIYADH, 24 August — Saudi women must be given more access to the electronic media world so they can exploit their untapped potential and this can only be done by providing them with intensive training in computers and the Internet, Dr. Hellmuth Broda, chief technologist at Sun Microsystems Computers, has said.
“Training women in this area is more significant than training men, as women will teach their children what they learn,” he told Arab News.
Broda also warned governments about the new danger from electronic terrorism.
“International terrorist organizations work hard to achieve their interests through the Internet, and they have been successful in many countries,” he said. “They also steal information by hacking into websites.”
He said the growing reliance on electronic trade by financial institutions, especially banks, has diversified the nature of electronic crimes.
“About 85 percent of hacking operations are carried out from within the organizations themselves,” he observed.
Broda particularly highlighted the role of women in helping to transform society through the use of high-tech information.
“They themselves transfer knowledge from one generation to another, by keeping abreast of modern technology. We should make the most of our women to attain our goal of eradicating illiteracy,” he added.
He said training Saudis on using the Internet is important because the World Trade Organization’s regulations insist on the optimum use of the World Wide Web in production, marketing and all other areas.
“This technology offers an ideal method to utilize the capabilities of Saudi women without starting a debate about Islamic teachings. It opens before them vast areas of work, but does not result in them coming into contact with strange men,” he explained.
He called for steps in this field to be undertaken within a year.
“Women are qualified to play the role of leaders of change, and to deal with modernity. This will enable them to play a major role in increasing technological awareness in Saudi Arabia. To dismiss women’s role in this field would be a big mistake.”
Broda noted the Internet’s importance in increasing the power of citizens by reducing the state’s control over them.
“No government can now prevent free movement of information by imposing rules and regulations,” he added, and called upon governments to help the public make full use of the Internet.
“All countries must allow the Internet to develop without restraints on freedom of thinking and expression. All governments should accept and deal with it as a reality,” he said.
The Internet, he continued, is an important factor in increasing economic production, and so should be used to increase the income of both individuals and states.
“It’s more important than petrol, as the latter will become valueless if an alternative energy source is found. So what is important is to make use of technology and develop the available resources without further delay, because investment will not wait,” he said.
Broda urged Saudi government and the private sector to expand their information technology infrastructure and make the Internet easily available all over the country.
“This can be done through private investors,” he added.
He also predicted that telephone charges in the Kingdom would be further reduced when the Kingdom joins the WTO.
“This will lead to a reduction in the cost of using the Internet, to the extent that communication will be almost free. Then the telecom companies and Internet service providers will have to look for alternative sources of income by providing more excellent services,” he said.
He urged Internet users not to reveal all their personal information on the Net.
“There are people who give such information about themselves on the Net without any need. Then it is available to everyone around the world with access to a computer,” he cautioned.
