Gyang Bere, Jos

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Plateau State Branch has called for the inclusion of women into the Digital Space to compete favourably with the male counterpart in Nigeria.

FIDA Chairperson, Plateau State Branch, Mrs. Ngozi Obioma Achilefu said the migration became necessary considering the changing world that is putting female folks who are still glue to the mentality of analogue operations at a disadvantages side than those who have equiped themselves already.

Mrs Achilefu disclosed this while addressing Members of the Association yesterday at the West of Mind Court to mark the 2023 International Women Day in Jos the Plateau State, with the theme: “DigitAll: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equity” with a hashtag #EmbraceDigitalEquity.”

She lamented the trajectory of women enrollment into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country which must be looked into to bring on board more professional woman in the science space in other to complement on the efforts of the few waxing strong in the sector for an inclusive global competition.

“In our modern world today, digital literacy is an essential skills as our daily activities in our communities always revolve around digital technology. Digital technology has transform the way we talk, communicate transact, learn and even handle financial transactions.

“However, the operation of digital technology has also greatly shown in equality that exists between the two genders because of the comparative small number of women that can effectively handle and operates in such spaces.”

She stressed that one of the biggest challenges is the gender gap in technology related fields. “Women are still under represented in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields which are the driving force behind many technological innovations.

“This limit the career opportunities available for women and the operation as well as the daily use of such in a world that has largely gone digital.”

Achilefu pointed that FIDA is advocating for the deployment of various strategies that will bring on board more women and girls to STEM in Nigeria through “national and international collaboration, collaborative scientific research, engaging with more advanced countries for better exposure and experience, involving women scientist in Nigeria in the development of STEM policies, encouraging young girls to have interest in STEM and empowering women through ICT. “

She reiterated proper mentorship as proper approached towards curbing the exposure of the female folks to various negativity that comes with innovations into the digital space in the country.

“This will also encourage the girl child on the Plateau who is still thinking about analogue things which is already gone. Everybody should embrace the digital technology because with the Naira policy in the country, everybody has resorted to transfer of money through their phones which is part of the digital space we are talking about,” she emphasized.

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International Women Day: Plateau FIDA Move to Close Gender Gap in Digital Technology