Celebrating 13 years of its Girls in ICT Day initiative, eBusiness Life recently convened stakeholders in Lagos to applaud the progress made in encouraging young girls towards STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and ICT careers, reports ITREALMS.
This annual campaign aims to mentor and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders. While participants acknowledged the successes achieved, they emphasized the need for continued effort to ensure girls actively pursue and excel in ICT roles, thereby shaping their futures and contributing to economic growth across sectors.
Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, Convener and CEO of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, highlighted the campaign's impact, stating that numerous former participants have expressed gratitude for how the initiative shifted their perspectives and motivated them to pursue ICT-related studies.
"We've empowered many girls through this platform," she noted, stressing that "Some are already working in the field. We will continue this campaign to see even greater progress."
She also stressed the importance of broadening the campaign's reach beyond the event itself, pointing to live streaming on YouTube and Instagram.
Citing ITU statistics, Mrs. Emuophedaro revealed that since 2011, 377,000 girls and young women globally have entered ICT careers, with 11,400 celebrations held in over 171 countries.
Citing ITU statistics, Mrs. Emuophedaro revealed that since 2011, 377,000 girls and young women globally have entered ICT careers, with 11,400 celebrations held in over 171 countries.
However, she also addressed the persistent gender disparity: "While women comprise about 47% of the global workforce, they are vastly underrepresented in STEM, with only 3% of students joining ICT courses worldwide being women."
She urged attendees to challenge this stereotype and embrace the year's theme: ‘Girls in ICTs: Bridging ALL Divides for an Inclusive Digital Transformation,’ emphasizing the necessity for girls not just to participate, but to lead in the digital age.
Mrs. Emuophedaro called upon corporations, governments, and other stakeholders to create inclusive tech environments for girls and encouraged the girls present to believe in their potential.
Mrs. Emuophedaro called upon corporations, governments, and other stakeholders to create inclusive tech environments for girls and encouraged the girls present to believe in their potential.
"Yes, girls use technology," she said, "but we want them to create technology. And in any sector you choose, technological knowledge is vital."
Echoing this sentiment, Adeboye Adeniji, Vertical Head, High Net-worth Individuals, Globacom, emphasized Globacom's belief in Nigerian talent, particularly young women.
Echoing this sentiment, Adeboye Adeniji, Vertical Head, High Net-worth Individuals, Globacom, emphasized Globacom's belief in Nigerian talent, particularly young women.
"ICT is everywhere," he said, pointing out that girls belong to this world, they are the future, and not just as users, but as leaders, creators, and innovators.
He assured the girls that with the right tools, training, and confidence, anything is achievable, and dispelled the notion that "tech is only for boys."
Bisola Oladejo, Head of Cybersecurity & Compliance Advisory, Digital Encode, advised the girls to explore the diverse career paths within ICT and underscored the unique contributions women bring to the field. "Girls matter in ICT," she asserted, "because they bring uniqueness and color, making apps interesting."
Bisola Oladejo, Head of Cybersecurity & Compliance Advisory, Digital Encode, advised the girls to explore the diverse career paths within ICT and underscored the unique contributions women bring to the field. "Girls matter in ICT," she asserted, "because they bring uniqueness and color, making apps interesting."
She identified challenges such as limited STEM education, social media distractions, and gender bias, and urged governments to develop initiatives that promote female inclusion in ICT.
The event featured STEM quizzes, robot programming competitions, and student roundtables, along with awards for outstanding women in ICT: Funmilola Victoria Omojola (ICT Touch Holder Award) and Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore (ICT Advocacy Award).
The International Girls in ICT Day, an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), aims to close the gender gap in tech careers and empower girls for the future of technology."
The event featured STEM quizzes, robot programming competitions, and student roundtables, along with awards for outstanding women in ICT: Funmilola Victoria Omojola (ICT Touch Holder Award) and Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore (ICT Advocacy Award).
The International Girls in ICT Day, an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), aims to close the gender gap in tech careers and empower girls for the future of technology."
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