… say legislators should enact laws to enhance women’s involvement in digital space
As the world celebrates the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has charged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to make laws to stop all forms of gender discrimination against women and promote their full involvement in the nation’s tech and digital sector.
It said it had become imperative to promote gender equality in the nation’s digital space to increase the number of women and girls interested and involved in the tech and digital industry in the country.
The Pyrates Confraternity also kicked against all forms of cyber bullying and online and physical violence against women and young girls.
Capoon of the Katamaran Deck of the Pyrates Confraternity comprising Ijebu and Remo lands with secretariat in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Mr Olumide Fagbohunka, stated these in a statement to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Wednesday.
Fagbohunka noted that with the high level of technology globally, digital technology has a very important role to play in achieving gender equality worldwide, adding that governments and corporate bodies now relied on gender-specific data obtained regarding key indicators of success and development.
He said the nation’s legislators at the state and Federal levels must therefore draw attention to and address issues such as gender stereotypes, discrimination and cultural biases, among others, to make laws that would effectively tackle these issues for the benefit of the female gender.
The deck Capoon added that efforts by the women in Nigeria to make significant impact in the tech industry should be supported by appropriate laws by the Legisture at both the Federal and state levels to remove the several impediments limiting their participation in the sector.
Fagbohunka, who quoted reports by the United Nations, expressed regrets that women constitute only 22 per cent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) workers worldwide, adding that a global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries discovered that 44.2 per cent demonstrate gender bias.
He noted that despite the modest successes recorded by women in Nigeria’s tech and digital sector in recent years, they’re still faced with various issues limiting their full participation in the industry.
According to him, “The potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and advance gender equality is increased when women and other marginalized groups are involved in the development of technology. Contrarily, their exclusion has significant financial consequences.
“According to the UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2022 report, the absence of women from the digital world has reduced the gross domestic product of low- and middle-income countries by $1 trillion over the past ten years. If nothing is done, this loss will increase to $1.5 trillion by 2025.
“Gender stereotypes continue to exist and are transmitted through media, and through social, educational and recreational socialisation, which promotes gender prejudice and discrimination. From violence and sexual abuse to gender pay gaps, career growths and restrictive reproductive rights, women and girls continue to face obstacles in achieving equality and thriving in our modern society.
“Women are now becoming increasingly aware of the need to be empowered in the digital space. So, there is the need for legislations aimed at eradicating all forms of gender biases, discriminations and inequalities in this regard.
“There is the need for more women to be involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to promote their involvement in the digital space.
“Innovation and technology have become very important for gender equality. It is therefore important for us to apply legislations to address inequality for women, especially regarding the stereotypes inherent in our social systems, educational institutions and companies in the tech and digital sector.”
Fagbohunka further stated that it’s imperative for all women in the tech and digital sector to be enabled to attain social, economic and political equality for the general good of the society now and in the future.
“Against the stereotypical belief that women cannot thrive in male-dominated areas such as the tech and digital sector, women in STEM have been found to capable of holding their own and even thriving. They now exhibit that confidence of a better future in the tech and digital sector if given equal opportunities, enabling environment and improved working conditions,” he said.
He, however, noted that women participation in the tech and digital sector is still abysmally low inspite of their 28 per cent presence in STEM.
Fagbohunka, therefore, stressed that initiatives for gender equity must now be accelerated to ensure the inclusion of women and girls in Nigeria’s digital space.
He enjoined the nation’s lawmakers at the national and state levels to make gender equity and empowerment the innovations and technology sector a priority.
He also advised women already established in the tech and digital sector to take interest in building the interests of young girls in ICT-related courses early enough to assist in creating an inclusive world for women in the digital sector.
Fagbohunka also stated that advocacy and awareness among young girls backed by counseling for careers in tech and digital innovation must also be enhanced to close the existing digital gender divide and provide women greater access to digital technologies.
He added, “Our young girls must be made to develop interest in STEM, especially now that everything in today’s world is driven by technology. So, understanding technology is imperative because without that knowledge, it will be difficult to function in today’s world
“It’s therefore important girls embrace STEM to prepare them for opportunities in these areas as adults in future.”
The International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women. This year, the event will be marked on the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”
Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is a key factor that the International Womens’ Day 2023 will explore to impact the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities.
International Women’s Day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.