2023 IWD: CSOs Charges Govt To Promote Practical Digital Tech Education for Girls in Schools
- There is a growing call by civil society groups urging the government to institute a tech-induced education for girls in Nigeria
- Nigeria's leading civil group, Christian Aid made this call in commemoration of international women's day
- In collaboration with ACT Alliance, Christian Aid said Nigerian to accept the diversity that comes with girls having access to technology like boys
FCT, Abuja -In commemoration of the 2023 international women’s day, Nigeria’s federal and state government has been urged to incorporate Practical Digital Technology Education for girls into the Basic Education Curriculum to promote gender equality in Nigeria.
This call was made by the Christian Aid (UK) Nigeria and the ACT Alliance via a statement made available to Legit.ng on Wednesday, March 8.
As contained in the statement, the Country Director of Christian Aid (Nigeria), Temitope Fashola, revealed that in the 2022 World Economic Forum Report, the Digital Innovation and Technology sector contributed 18.44% to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022 with a projection of more future leaps.
He stated that women own only 30% of 93 surveyed technology companies, and more than one-third of these companies have no female employees.
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Fashola said:
"This glaringly indicates that the rapid growth of the digital innovation sector in Nigeria is largely dominated by men. This disparity can be attributed to limited digital technology skills fueled by poverty, cultural bias towards girl-child education, and lack of female venture funding and mentorship.
"If this trend continues, Nigeria will lose out on the benefits of having an inclusive technology ecosystem, and lag in the achievement of gender equality for all by 2023; Sustainable Development Goal 5."
Meanwhile, the coalition also noted that there is a need for Nigerian to accept the diversity that comes with girls having access to technology like boys.
The coalition said without the contribution of women, many opportunities and challenges will be missed.
The statement reads:
"This brings upon us the realisation that women and girls cannot just be users and consumers of technology, rather, we must recognise them as potential developers and creators too.
"Hence, we must do away with the social stereotypes that discourage girls from studying and pursuing careers in Digital Innovation and Technology. When we empower them to create digital technology, we believe that better tech solutions will be created as the developers fully represent the diversity of society."
2023 IWD: CODE charges govt to enact policies protecting women and girls
Similarly, international women's day has been marked by Nigeria's leading civil society group, Connected Development and the Canadian high commission.
Both parties at the commemoration of the event say women constitute an integral part of our society.
At the celebration of the event witnessed by Legit.ng, both parties called for the government to support laws that protect women and girls.
Ooni of Ife Flaunts Wives As He Marks International Women’s Day, Photos Trend
Elsewhere, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, took to social media to celebrate the women in his life on International Women’s Day.
Taking to social media, the Yoruba monarch shared photos of his different wives and accompanied them with a lengthy message.
The photos of the Ooni’s wives got a lot of netizens talking as many of them wondered about who his favourite is.
Source: Legit.ng