Int’nal Women’s day:EAI, FIDA,NAWOJ, NCWS, calls for more inclusion in decisions making

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

As the World marks World lnternational Women day, Plateau State Government and all relevant decision-making bodies have been urged to institutes a strong policy as part of effort to ensure women
and girls are ICT-literate and fast-track gender equity and equality.

In a statement jointly signed by the
Access International Nigeria,
Obioma Ngozi Achilefu,
Chairperson FIDA plateau State Chapter, Mrs. Nene Dung,
NAWOJ Plateau State Chapter and
Mrs.Celina M. Ali President
NCWS Plateau State and issued to Newsman.

The statement also calls for increasing women’s participation in peace and security by eliminating online gender-based violence against women and girls.

It says facilitating effective women’s participation in the digital revolution has immense potential to improve
social and economic outcomes for all, including women and girls.

“it again risks perpetuating existing patterns of discrimination and inequalities.37% of all women globally are not online. Therefore, we need to bridge this gap and develop, in line with this year’s theme, mass action to achieve positive changes for women,girls, and all of society”

“March 8, 2023 is International Women’s Day! A day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements around the world”

According to the statement, Women day It is also a special day to raise awareness of the challenged women face and determine ways of achieving gender equality.

“This year’s celebration focuses on DigitALL: INNOVATION
AND TECHNOLOGY FOR GENDER EQUALITY”

The statement explains that, the theme for this year’s highlights the need for inclusive, transformative technological and digital education among women and girls, especially in developing countries across the world.

According to the statement the day explores the innovation and impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic, political, and social inequalities.

It says the event also spotlights the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces,including addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.

“The UN and other international organizations recognize and celebrate the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education in schools,homes, and the wider community”

“Equal Access International (EAI),which is a global not-for-profit organization that specializes in international development, has a presence in over 10 countries around the world”

It creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions that addresses the most critical challenges affecting people in the developing world such as women’s and girls’empowerment, youth life skills & livelihoods development, human rights, peace building,countering violent extremism,and civic participation and governance.

In Nigeria, EAI empowers women by equipping them with the information and advocacy skills necessary to advance their security while working closely with women and women-led organizations Like FIDA, NCWS, and NAWOJ among others.

“Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology will result in the development of more creative solutions that have greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. Their lack of inclusion, by contrast, comes with massive costs: as per the UN Women’s
Gender Snapshot 2022 report”

“The report revealed that women’s exclusion from the digital world has
shaved $1 trillion from the gross domestic product of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade a loss that will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action.Reversing this trend will require tackling the problem of online violence, which a study of 51 countries revealed 38 percent of women had personally experienced.

A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology, and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement.

Besides,advancements in digital technology offer immense opportunities to address development and humanitarian challenges and to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“Unfortunately, the opportunities of
the digital revolution also present a risk of perpetuating existing patterns of gender inequality.Growing inequalities are becoming increasingly evident in the context of digital skills and access to technologies, with women being left behind as the result of this digital gender divide”

“The need for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education is, therefore, crucial for a sustainable future”

In Plateau state, Equal Access International, FIDA, NCWS, and NAWOJ express unhappiness that despite many achievements, women and girls remain under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which are still male dominated.

With only 35 percent and just 3 percent of women and girls studying information and communication technology, there is a need for a paradigm shift in educational reforms and long-term commitments to remove barriers within all tiers of our education system. In our immediate community,

today, technology is increasingly being misused and weaponized,with women and girls disproportionately targeted.