Summary:
- Stakeholders emphasized the crucial role of investing in girls’ education and mentorship for future tech careers, advocating for parental and corporate support.
- Need for leadership beyond job titles, emphasizing innovation and confidence in navigating change, particularly for girls in ICT.
- Emphasized the importance of positive technology usage among young girls and the need for parental guidance.
Stakeholders at the 12th International Girls in ICT Campaign held in Lagos have urged parents and corporations to invest in young girls for future tech careers.
The International Girls in ICT Campaign was organised by eBusiness Life Communications Limited.
In a virtual address from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin elaborated on the 2024 theme, ‘Leadership,’ and emphasized that leadership transcends mere job titles or positions of authority as it’s about leveraging ideas, innovation, and confidently navigating change, even in the student phase.”
“Right now, just 21% of all ICT Ministers are women, and only 32 out of 165 ICT regulators are led by a woman. In the highest positions of government, gender equality will not be reached for another 130 years.
“In the private sector women in technologies occupy less than a third of positions and face a pay gap of up to 21%. Just 22% of AI workers globally are women. And the hiring rate of women in tech leadership roles has stalled. When we look at C-Suite roles in STEM, just 1 in 8 is held by a woman.”
She advocated for investing in young girls’ education, mentorship, and skill-building initiatives, empowering them to not just succeed but thrive as pioneers in the digital realm.
Mrs. Jumoke Alaka, Manager of the South-West Zonal Office at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), spoke on behalf of Director General Mr. Kashifu Inuwa.
She highlighted the abundant opportunities within the ICT sector and urged young girls to leverage technology positively while cautioning against its negative aspects.
Alaka encouraged young girls to engage with hard copy materials for better knowledge retention and to avoid distractions from unnecessary apps when reading digitally. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of parental guidance in the beneficial use of ICT gadgets.
During an engaging tech-talk session, Oluwatobi Ayeni, Digital Strategist and Founder of ‘MissTechy,’ Nigeria’s premier female tech blog and video channel, encouraged the young girls to foster curiosity and delve into ICT exploration.
She emphasized that this curiosity would not only spark interest but also drive innovation, enabling young girls to bridge gaps in technology.
Dr. (Mrs.) Ochuko Ibe, CEO of MyHealthHub, inspired the girls during a health talk, urging them to identify opportunities for technological solutions in their surroundings.
Drawing from her journey across various fields, she shared her passion for technology and its role in addressing medical disparities in rural and underserved areas.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the Convener of Girls-In-ICT and CEO of e-Business Life Communication Limited, highlighted the pressing need for ICT skills for young girls, citing the ITU’s projection of a two million job shortfall in the sector within five years.
She emphasized the importance of coding, app development, and computer science education for girls and young women, not only for success in ICT careers but also as valuable assets across diverse fields due to the increasingly essential nature of ICT skills.
“Girls equipped with ICT skills can anticipate lucrative salaries and abundant career prospects. Girls in ICT Day serves as a reminder of the transformative power of ICTs, enhancing healthcare, environmental management, communications, and educational systems, thereby enriching lives globally,” she said.
Referencing the 2024 theme, Mrs. Daro noted: “While there is a leadership gender gap in every industry, the largest gaps are found in the STEM fields. Women in ICT often find themselves in junior or support roles rather than in managerial roles, with little opportunity for advancement. They are also less likely to hold an executive position, become ICT entrepreneurs, or be represented among science and technology policymakers.
“To thrive in STEM, girls and young women must be exposed to women in leadership positions, fostering inspiration and breaking down barriers that hinder their progress. The Girls in ICT Day 2024 theme aims to address these challenges, encouraging empowerment and leadership development for a more equitable future in STEM.”
The event drew participation from 170 students representing 17 schools across Lagos and Ogun States, along with numerous corporate guests.
Activities included STEM Quiz and Vlogging competitions, a student roundtable moderated by prominent journalist Louisa Olaniyi, random quizzes, and entertainment.”
In the Vlogging competition moderated by tech enthusiast and founder of ‘MissTechy,’ Oluwatobi Ayeni, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School, Yaba clinched the First Prize. The Second and Third Prizes were awarded to Chrisland College, Ikeja, and The Lagoon School, Lekki, respectively.
In the STEM Quiz Competition, The Lagoon School, Lekki secured the top prize, with Baptist Girls Academy, Obanikoro, and Government Senior College, Agege claiming the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
The event received partnership and support from several esteemed organizations including NCC, NITDA, Globacom, Digital Encode, VDT Communications, Digital Realty, Huawei Technologies, Inq Digital, and Coca-Cola.
This year’s theme for the International Girls in ICT campaign, ‘Leadership,’ was set by the ITU.