IWD: Group calls for action to bridge gender ICT gap in Nigeria

From Daniel Abel, Lafia

Global Peace Development, an NGO, has called for decisive action to bridge gender Information Communication Technology (ICT) gap in Nigeria, as the world marks International Women Day (IWD).

This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen by its Executive Director, Ebruke Esike on Wednesday in Lafia.

IWD this year’s theme “DigitALl Innovation and Technology for gender equality” highlighted the role of innovation technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls worldwide.

The statement said Global Peace Development stands in solidarity with women and girls in Nigeria and around the world, as it celebrates the advancement made by women and girls in the field of transformative technology and digital education and other sectors.

Esike said there was significant gap between men and women in terms of representation and participation in ICT sector, noting that was a major challenge to Nigeria’s development efforts, as it limits the country’s potential to fully harness the benefits.

“On this day, we call on government at all levels in Nigeria to enhance the capacity and knowledge of women – rural and urban dwellers on ICT education as a development pathway for women growth, resilience and sustainable income.

“We believe that by empowering women and girls with technology, we are facilitating the unlocking of their full potential and closing the digital gender gap which has continued to widen economic and social inequalities,” he said.

Esike said going by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) report in 2022 that indicated 63 percent of women worldwide are using the internet compared to 69 percent of men, hence it required proactive action to bridge gender disparity.

He said the current reality of the Federal Government of Nigeria on cashless policy and Naira redesign disempowered majority of the women because of their limited knowledge, capacity, and skills on ICT.

“More women need to be encouraged to pursue careers in the industry, creating female-friendly work environments, providing more training opportunities, addressing cultural and societal barriers,” he said

This, he said required deliberate actions from various stakeholders including the government, private sectors, civil society organisations and well-meaning individuals.

He said Global Peace Development has been a supporter of gender equality in Nigeria as evident in its projects; SARVE III project in Kaduna State in partnership with ActionAid,with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.

“Where we recently educated 1,350 women across 12 communities in Kaduna State on women’s rights in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-initiated electoral violence,” he said.

Others are Strengthening Youth Leaders Connect for Constructive Social Change in Electoral process in Adamawa and Enugu States, where young women were empowered with creative digital skills to promote non-violent 2023 general elections.