In the past couple of months,I have been privileged to partake in some trainings online. I gained knowledge, won cash and prizes and doors opened to some opportunities I had not even thought of.
That is the power of technology and the extent to which a woman’s life could get better if she has access to technology.
Sadly as at 2021, UNICEF reported that 50 percent of women in Nigeria lack access to the internet. http://www.equalmeasures2030.org says 52 percent of women globally la k access to internet.
For those women,the digital gap is real and exclusion is their reality. They will never know what it means to interact with people from halfway across the globe, attend meetings and international conferences, buy and sell goods from the comfort of your home without meeting the vendor or even just surfing as a means of relaxation.
This could change though if governments in countries like Nigeria provide STEM education opportunities for young girls and women as well as subsidize the acquisition of technology like laptops, tablets or android phones for young girls and women.
Beyond government,start from where you are and normalize young girls receiving the necessary training and support to gain infotech skills and apply them.
This is one embrace large enough for all in the interest of equity..
Happy international women’s day 2023,the theme is DigitALL innovation and technology for gender equality.
NewsAnnexOnline 