The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), working alongside the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), has made significant progress towards reducing the gap between genders in digital access by unveiling the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) during the UN’s 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
Titled ‘Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,’ the high-level meeting underscored Nigeria’s dedication to promoting fair access to digital technologies, ensuring online security, and boosting economic opportunities for women and children. This was stated by NITDA in an announcement made yesterday.
At the event, Iklima Musa Salihu, who serves as the Special Assistant to the Director General on Strategic Partnerships, unveiled the strategy. She highlighted NITDA’s commitment to fostering digital transformation and providing women and girls with greater chances to engage in the digital economy.
The NGDIS, aligned with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, aims to eliminate obstacles to digital inclusivity by increasing access to digital skill development programs, infrastructure, and mentoring chances for women and girls.
The Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, as represented by the SA, in his special remarks reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, highlighting NGDIS as a game-changer in achieving gender parity in the digital space.
He observed that the framework emphasizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, safety, and gender-sensitive strategies to boost women’s involvement in Nigeria’s expanding digital sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, underscored the urgent need for action in tackling gender disparities in digital access.
She shared startling figures illustrating the harsh truth about the digital gap in Nigeria, pointing out that 68% of Nigerian women lack smartphones, which makes it challenging for them to utilize online services and seize economic chances.
She emphasized that this disparity goes further than just access issues, since women and children encounter substantial online dangers such as cyber harassment, digital gender-based violence, and marginalization from the swiftly expanding technology-dependent economy.
She urged for the rapid execution of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) 2024-2027, aiming to eliminate the systemic obstacles hindering women’s full participation in the digital economy.
She highlighted the importance of robust legal structures that could speed up efforts in enhancing digital literacy, ensuring secure online environments, and enabling women to flourish in sectors dominated by technology.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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