tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38183060256664361122024-02-19T13:33:29.532+01:00Women in ICTWomen in ICT blog is developed to celebrate the achievement of women in ICT, to inform and encourage women and men about the impact women have in ICT and to promote the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-59721326112220473442016-12-07T01:19:00.000+01:002016-12-07T01:19:35.378+01:00TechWomen 2017 Calls for Applications<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
The US Department of State has announced that it is
accepting applications for its TechWomen program. With the need to grow the
presence and active contribution of women in technology, TechWomen is an
initiatve designed to enhance the capacity and capabilities of emerging women
leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). </div>
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The gender divide
in STEM leadership is an issue militating against the use of ICTs and related technologies
to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. It is absolutely important
that women in such roles, who are the main actors, engage with each other and
share ideas and experiences.<br />
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Not only does TechWomen provide selected candidates
with a mentorship and exchange program, it also brings them together and connects
these emerging women leaders from Africa, South and Central Asia, and the
Middle East with their professional colleagues in the United States. Based in San Francisco, it is a five week
program that provides participants with opportunities to engage in
project-based mentorships at leading companies in the San Francisco Bay Area
and Silicon Valley.</div>
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This yearly program seeks global impact through significant outcomes in the regions mentioned. To this end, specific nations in
these regions have been chosen for this purpose.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlm0q9IeCUpMocHO3wAT2tcqjXj15Bz_Tep5RygE4e8kn4_mk3V0Z-d67y3SL5no9sHzLF2zNoVx6d0DrQsFUNVZzdBWGor_fnWJRmECXuGO8y4QRjKVBIAxcYTSUv9WIZW6MEJBtLUQ/s1600/startup-849805__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlm0q9IeCUpMocHO3wAT2tcqjXj15Bz_Tep5RygE4e8kn4_mk3V0Z-d67y3SL5no9sHzLF2zNoVx6d0DrQsFUNVZzdBWGor_fnWJRmECXuGO8y4QRjKVBIAxcYTSUv9WIZW6MEJBtLUQ/s320/startup-849805__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Qualified citizens are invited
from such countries. Specifically, the notice from the organizers states “2017 program
will include 100 women from the following countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt,
Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan,
Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe”.</div>
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It isn’t a program for newcomers, but is instead
for women who are emerging as leaders in their profession. Beyond being
knowledgeable and experienced, it is expected that candidates will
possess a sense of responsibility and initiative, as well as visionary traits. Their
leadership attributes will be assessed through their work experience, volunteer
experience, community activities and education. </div>
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The notice from TechWomen indicates that applications
for the 2017 program will be received until January 17, 2017. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interested? Qualified? For More Details and Information, <b><u><a href="https://www.techwomen.org/participants/eligibility-and-application" target="_blank">Please follow this link</a> </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-53044119865206152022014-07-03T14:31:00.000+01:002016-12-07T01:29:34.665+01:00NiWIIT President’s Address at the 2014 Girls in ICT Day<b>ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF NIWIIT AT THE INTERNATIONAL GIRLS IN ICT DAY 2014 AT ROCHAS FOUNDATION CONVENTION CENTRE, OWERRI – 27TH MAY 2014</b>.<br />
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I welcome you all to this maiden edition of the International Girls in ICT Day 2014. We could not observe the day on the 24th April 2014 with other nations because secondary schools in Nigeria were on Easter holiday at the time. However, I am glad we are still able to observe the day today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0iuFfVQFc45-vs0XjxXNRYEP0EwyL3kR4cP2RnZkpeWFnblSLsX2xTxcVhkqd9e_0jcs19crHh1-F1oK2fJp_m7GkobX1eP5qAJtrTH01SGJaaQ7J8P_WJbre7WzFib2xEgw7nygTu4/s1600/girls+in+ict+day+group+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0iuFfVQFc45-vs0XjxXNRYEP0EwyL3kR4cP2RnZkpeWFnblSLsX2xTxcVhkqd9e_0jcs19crHh1-F1oK2fJp_m7GkobX1eP5qAJtrTH01SGJaaQ7J8P_WJbre7WzFib2xEgw7nygTu4/s1600/girls+in+ict+day+group+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants with NiWIIT officials at the International Girls in ICT Day 2014 in Owerri Imo State on 27th May 2014.</td></tr>
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As an interest group in the Nigeria Computer Society, NIWIIT provides a voice for both professional and non-professional females in the IT industry as she embarks on advocacy for them. As a gender-based Interest Group, we seek to educate women on the several ways IT can be beneficial to them and how they can take advantage of the IT resources available to them. Therefore, the seminars we are going to have today will address some very basic IT-uses that everyone can benefit from. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqVmc3y5orUY0nnINNyJe4-35rkdZzCJ35ufz-DgLizdYGTjZpajtcRvheymkvtLOSRCNxZkq0f3rBvrIxpEH5GskDGtisg4DuFsuYJ2Lo8uRVt-5WKQE6BcuTU0qW7gVT_dGKYhzz3Q/s1600/girls+in+ict+day+winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqVmc3y5orUY0nnINNyJe4-35rkdZzCJ35ufz-DgLizdYGTjZpajtcRvheymkvtLOSRCNxZkq0f3rBvrIxpEH5GskDGtisg4DuFsuYJ2Lo8uRVt-5WKQE6BcuTU0qW7gVT_dGKYhzz3Q/s1600/girls+in+ict+day+winners.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr(Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu (NiWIIT) President, right) and Mrs Ronke Bello (NiWIIT) Vice-President, left) with the winners of the competition</td></tr>
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One of the objectives of NIWIIT is to reach out to special target groups such as students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in a bid to “catch them young.” With the project “Catching them Young” we will be facilitating the increase in the number of girls and women in the fields of technology and IT in particular.<br />
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It has been observed globally that the number of school girls opting to study technology-related disciplines is on the decline in most countries worldwide, thus International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is committed to championing the catalytic role a tech career can play in creating exciting, far-reaching opportunities for women and girls.<br />
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It is for this reason that the International Girls’ in ICT Day has been instituted to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICT). The initiative is committed to celebrate and commemorate the International Girls in ICT on the fourth Thursday of every April as established by the ITU membership.<br />
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Like other member states of ITU, the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NiWIIT) thought it very important to set apart today for this event. It is not usual to have events such as this in the South-East Region, so this decision to have the maiden edition of International Girls’ in ICT day in Imo State signals a bright future for our girls in this part of the country in the IT industry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Nz_12ZQ4bIjt3oub1zvIjfhqHFBzpCuVfe7sk4r1_SONFAVD6W7rGV0N9Ya_oN-Vnvx_KsW7orvC3_cjKnFGz2ElRVduprHSNYmDbImcbs8OyeaFhKPGmgXodFIFgGB0WzVjTlj3ms/s1600/girls+in+ict+day+winner+overall+congrats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Nz_12ZQ4bIjt3oub1zvIjfhqHFBzpCuVfe7sk4r1_SONFAVD6W7rGV0N9Ya_oN-Vnvx_KsW7orvC3_cjKnFGz2ElRVduprHSNYmDbImcbs8OyeaFhKPGmgXodFIFgGB0WzVjTlj3ms/s400/girls+in+ict+day+winner+overall+congrats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr.(Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu, NiWIIT President, congratulating the overall winner of the competition, Jane Chinonye Ogbonnaya, SS2 student of Spring of life International School, Enugu</td></tr>
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I hereby invite you to relax and enjoy your day. During the interactive session you will be given the opportunity to ask questions that have been bothering your mind, and I assure you that there are a good number of IT professionals here today that will answer those questions with professional expertise.<br />
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Once again, I welcome every one that has taken out time to be a part of this special event today.<br />
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Thanks for coming and God bless you all.<br />
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Dr.(Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu, FNCS, MCPN<br />
National PresidentUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-20036389195402040262014-06-24T12:12:00.000+01:002014-06-24T12:12:18.390+01:00Opportunity for Young Women in ICT AfricaA great opportunity has been announced for two young women in ICTs, one in Africa and one in Latin America.<br />
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The organizers are on the look out for a young woman from each of the two regions to be part of this impressive documentary.<br /><br />According to the release, Big Dream documentary directed by Iron Way Films in partnership with Microsoft follows young women from small town America to the Middle East who will stop at nothing to achieve their Big Dream in technology.<br /><br />You can view a teaser for the film here: <a href="http://ironwayfilms.com/bigdream/" target="_blank">Teaser</a><br /><br />They are looking for two young women - aged anywhere from 17 to 22 - one to film in Africa and one in Latin America to feature in the documentary.<br />
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Filming will be over a few days in August.<br /><br />Contact: Kelly Cox at<br />
kelly (AT)ironwayfilms.com<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-43782575007805504672014-05-24T16:20:00.001+01:002014-05-24T17:53:03.910+01:00Keynote Address: Nigerian Women In Information Technology (NIWIIT) Lagos State Chapter Inauguration<b>Keynote Address: Nigerian Women In Information Technology (NIWIIT) Lagos State Chapter Inauguration by Mrs. Adekeyede Elusoji, National Secretary, NIWIIT</b><br />
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Mr President, the Executive of NCS, Fellows of the Society, Executive of ITAN & ISPON as well as our dear NIWIIT Executive you are once again welcome to this occasion.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs Adekeyede Elusoji, National Security, NIWIIT and Dr. Deola Ilechukwu, President, NIWIIT</td></tr>
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As we all know, Governments, academic institutions, corporations, non-governmental organizations, professional journals and magazines, and many individuals are all talking about bridging the digital divide. While everyone basically understands what the digital divide is, there has been much less agreement on how the digital divide can be bridged, its historical significance, and its absolute impact on the global economy.<br />
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For most governments and corporations, the conventional approach to bridging the digital divide is to provide computers, Internet access, and technology training to people in disadvantaged communities. Thus, determining whether the digital divide is being bridged is based on the increasing numbers of our citizens who use computers, who have access to the Internet, and those who received some level of technology training.</div>
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<b>The Realities</b><br />
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Sexual hierarchy, as evidenced within both the education and labour sector, is not the dictate of biology but is the result of socially constructed norms. These norms have played a direct role in the creation of a gendered digital divide that is primarily caused by a lack of women pursuing careers in science and technology. A variety of socio-cultural reasons for the sex related differences are offered. These include the tremendous burden that has been placed on women to conform to society norms of what is considered feminine. Ideas about the appropriate roles for women in the labour market and in society, or about the biological unsuitability of women for science, serve as primary impediments to women choosing careers in science and technology</div>
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<b>What is the impact of computer technology on gender equity and education? </b>Researches have shown that:<br />
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1. Girls made up only a small percentage of students in computer science and computer design classes. The gender gap widens from grade eight to eleven. Girls are significantly more likely than boys to enroll in clerical and data-entry classes, and less likely to enroll in advanced computer science and graphics courses. <br />
2. Girls encountered fewer powerful, active female role models in computer games or software <br />
3. School software programs often reinforce gender bias and stereotypical gender roles. <br />
4. Girls use computers less often outside of school. <br />
5. Girls of all ethnic backgrounds consistently rate themselves significantly lower than boys on computer ability. <br />
6. Boys exhibit higher computer self-confidence. <br />
7. Teachers receive little or no training in how to use technology to create an innovative, engaging, equitable learning environment. </div>
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Globally, studies have shown that mathematics, physics and technical subjects are considered to be “hard” and therefore, more suitable for boys than girls. The absence of suitable role models for girls further compounds this problem, where there is a predominance of male science teachers. Furthermore, career guidance counselors frequently steer women away from careers in sciences, directing them into careers more “suitable” for women. Thus, generally, men far outnumber women in engineering, science (Computer Science) and industrial arts. This poor representation of women, particularly among black women, in the fields of science and engineering, is reflected in women’s position within the labour force.</div>
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The most recent study shows that girls are critical to the computer culture and are NOT computer phobic. Instead of trying to make girls fit into the existing computer culture, the computer culture must become more inviting for girls. Other findings of this report are instructive:</div>
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<li>Girls find programming classes tedious and dull, computer games too boring, redundant, and violent, and a computer career option uninspiring </li>
<li>Girls have clear and strong ideas about what kinds of games they would design…Games that feature simulation, strategy, and interaction. These games would, in fact, appeal to a broad range of learners –boys and girls alike. </li>
<li>Gender equity cannot be measured by how many girls send e-mail, use the Internet, and make PowerPoint presentations. Rather, gender equity means using technology proactively, being able to interpret the information that technology makes available, understanding design concepts, and being a lifelong learner of technology. </li>
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When women, who make up half the workforce, account for only a small percent of those with information technology credentials, it is a clear sign that we have to make computers and technology relevant across the job market to nontraditional users. I am not sure what the percentage of women in technology in this country would be, but I would guess that a large disparity does exist between women in the labor force and those with IT credentials.</div>
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<b><br />The Way Forward</b><br />
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In light of this above discussion, we should be able to draw a few conclusions about the concerns of women in higher education as related to gender and technology. I return to my initial question, what most women in higher education demand of the information technology revolution? The answer lies in the formation and effective administration of women oriented organizations such as NIWIIT. <br />
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NIWIIT is an Interest Group of Nigeria Computer Society like ITAN and ISPON. Membership is therefore open to female members of Nigeria Computer Society, CPN and any woman involved in IT. Since NCS requires every registered member to belong to an interest group, NIWIIT becomes an option for all female in the IT industry.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the National Executive of NIWIIT</td></tr>
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<b><br />AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF NIWIIT</b><br />
(1) Foster unity among Nigerian women in the IT industry through networking.<br />
(2) To maintain and defend the integrity and right of women in the IT industry.<br />
(3) To promote professionalism, capacity building and good relationship among members through mentoring.<br />
(4) To maintain the highest standard of ethics, conduct, virtue, etiquette and discipline among women in the IT industry.<br />
(5) To engage in any activity and ventures which will promote NIWIIT and welfare of members?<br />
6) To create a platform by which women in IT can collaborate with other women in other professions in Nigeria and elsewhere.<br />
(7) To develop and train members of the NIWITT through workshops and capacity building programs.<br />
(8) To create awareness programs for IT related services and products among women in the rural and sub-urban areas in Nigeria, special target groups and students in secondary school and tertiary institutions.<br />
(9) To encourage more female participation in the IT profession.<br />
I am confident that the inauguration of NIWIIT Lagos Chapter will contribute immensely towards the realization of these noble objectives.<br />
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Thank you and God bless you all.<br />
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Mrs. Adekeyede Elusoji<br />
National Secretary, NIWIITUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-29322857533357569952014-05-24T11:04:00.002+01:002014-05-24T11:32:23.421+01:00NIWIIT marks Girls in ICT DayNIWIIT (Nigerian Women In Information Technology) will be marking the 2014 Girls in ICT Day on May 27, 2014. Venue is Rochas Foundation, Okigwe Road, Owerrii, Imo State, Nigeria. Time: 10am - 2pm. NIWIIT is an interest group of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), led by its President, Dr. (Mrs) Deola Iluchukwu focused on becoming one of the top recognized organizations advancing the cause of women and girls in IT in Nigeria.<br />
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According to the release from NIWIIT, a total of 5 female students from each of the15 schools invited from Imo, Abia and Enugu states are expected. Also invited are teachers from the schools, NIWIIT members from the 3 states and members of the public.<br />
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Although the International Day for Girls in ICT was observed on the 24th April 2014 globally, West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams were ongoing and schools were closed for the Easter break in Nigeria at that time. Since the target group for NiWIIT are JSS2, JSS3 & SS1 students, NIWIIT decided to shift its Girls in ICT day event to the month of May 2014.<br />
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According to Ilechukwu, NiWIIT decided to organize the event to mark that day on Tuesday, 27th May 2014 – children’s day. Participation is effective when the teachers are able to bring the girls for the event. The event is expected to include a seminar, a quiz competition and knowledge sharing with foremost national female ICT professionals. Winners will be presented with gifts.</div>
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The digital gender gap is a reality in the technology sector. The question is: how sustainable in progress in the industry in particular and society in general without the ideas, inputs and contributions of girls and women in ICT? Getting girls interested in technology at an early age is a necessity. Technology is essential for progress and girls need to be part of the process.<br />
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International Girls in ICT Day is an initiative backed by ITU Member States and Girls in ICT day events and opportunities are geared towards informing girls about the exciting and world changing opportunities in ICT. Idea generation, quizzes, knowledge sharing and mentoring are typical #GirlsinICT activities. The events will give them insight into why ICT is an attractive career option, and why gender in ICT is a non issue.<br />
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NIWIIT, a lead change agent committed to empowering and advancing women in ICT is therefore at the forefront of promoting ICT career opportunities to girls and women and inspiring girls, teachers, and the ICT sector to be more proactive and committed. The industry needs more women.</div>
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#GirlsinICT day is about building interest in technology and careers in ICT among girls. For NIWIIT it is about showing commitment to the next generation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSkRAM-jOVALHKOWhIHe1kyjuw3eDxXTIEcm_f_qtFOhgVbJ9-JZdukycxP4f_mswG342GtIlDov_sN5gEULb8x47ol36PLYQytUgI1cFHNCv30x0vGJFARf4fhYbBJqaAvBTeze3CKI/s1600/girls+in+ict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSkRAM-jOVALHKOWhIHe1kyjuw3eDxXTIEcm_f_qtFOhgVbJ9-JZdukycxP4f_mswG342GtIlDov_sN5gEULb8x47ol36PLYQytUgI1cFHNCv30x0vGJFARf4fhYbBJqaAvBTeze3CKI/s1600/girls+in+ict.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-90750541064356542362014-04-17T21:11:00.000+01:002014-04-17T21:11:29.689+01:00Eko-Konnect Adopt a Bot Girls in ICT programmeIn Lagos, Nigeria, Eko-Konnect Research & Education Initiative (A consortium of Higher Education Institutions in Lagos) will host its second edition of International Girls in ICT Day at the department of Computer Science, University of Lagos. <br /><br />This year’s theme is Robotics for Computer Science and Engineering Education aimed at inspiring girls (and their teachers) in secondary schools and female students in higher education institutions to take up computer programming by learning to write code to manipulate robots. The programme is based on the “Computer Education For Girls Using Robotics” concept and the ‘Eko-Konnect Adopt a Bot’ programme. <br />
<br />Eko-Konnect will also officially launch its ‘Girls in ICT Club’ at this year’s event. The Girls in ICT Club aims to prepare girls and young women for a career in ICT and provide opportunity for girls to learn the fundamental skills they need to be competitive in an increasingly technological world. <br /><br />
Eko-Konnect seeks support through sponsorship of the ICT for Girls event and Adopt a Bot<br />programme,<br /><br />Please see <a href="http://nigeriacomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eko-KonnectAdoptabotProgramme.pdf" target="_blank">Eko-Konnect Adopt a Bot’ programme</a> <br /><br /><b><br />Contact:</b><br /><br />Goodness Ugochukwu, <br /><br />The Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative<br />Room 003 FOSS Centre,<br />Center for Information Technology & Systems Building,<br />University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba / P.O. Box 67 <br />Tel: +234-1-3428566 | E-mail: secretariat@eko-konnect.org.ng<br />www.eko-konnect.org.ng <br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-64773728409536642242014-03-24T16:05:00.000+01:002014-03-24T16:05:02.053+01:00Advancing Nigerian Women in Information Technology<div style="text-align: justify;">
Focused groups and associations play a major role in overcoming the challenges faced by girls and women in Information Technology and related male dominated fields. One such body is <b>NIWIIT (Nigerian Women In Information Technology)</b>, an interest group of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). NCS is Nigeria’s foremost Information Technology (IT) network with membership strength of Over 10,000, comprising IT Professionals, Interest groups and Stakeholders having footprints in Business, Government and Academia. NCS is the national platform advancing Information Technology Research, Practice and Innovation in Nigeria.</div>
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Still relatively young, NIWIIT was established in July 2012 when the national executive was inaugurated by the then NCS President, Sir Demola Aladekomo during the NCS Conference at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Dr Adeola Ilechukwu emerged as the President of NIWIIT. Interestingly, it was while Dr Ilechukwu was 2nd Vice President of NCS that she took up the challenge to facilitate the inauguration of this interest group in NCS.</div>
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In addition to Dr. Ilechukwu, the NIWIIT national executive expectedly comprises of those who had shown proven commitment to women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Math (STEM). </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjYxFLtj0nPcQiB14QerDAMGwYfMk3NKxAhLBu04UpvAni8lDv7G521JwTUOLfL6WZyxO_0kJqbcGNa5bHgaDJCdZwTYkxOIsFpIaO4wPI57UqznUVYpx7gZgh2N914Z0dQt2JVVFr4k/s1600/women-NIWIIT-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjYxFLtj0nPcQiB14QerDAMGwYfMk3NKxAhLBu04UpvAni8lDv7G521JwTUOLfL6WZyxO_0kJqbcGNa5bHgaDJCdZwTYkxOIsFpIaO4wPI57UqznUVYpx7gZgh2N914Z0dQt2JVVFr4k/s1600/women-NIWIIT-2.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NIWIIT National Executive at NCS Conference in Osun State</td></tr>
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Induction of new members took place at the 2013 NCS Conference at Iloko-Ijesa, Osun state of Nigeria. Members were inducted in different categories of Professional Members, Non Professional Members and students. NIWIIT has become an increasingly diverse and growing network with members in various fields in industry, research and education. The interest group also has chapters in Imo, Enugu, Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Ogun, Abia (although some are yet to be inaugurated).</div>
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Activities NIWIIT has carried out so far include: Awareness creation in states, Mobilization of women in IT, Inauguration of chapters and induction of members. Innformation from NIWIIT states that “This interest group has an imperative to empower and encourage women working in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. NIWIIT will work with government, interest groups and other stakeholders to achieve objectives for women in IT in unique and innovative ways. Events and activities will recognize the impact of women in ICT, while promoting the advancement of women in ICTs. NIWIIT is focused on increasing the active participation and contribution at all levels in the IT industry.”</div>
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It is expected that the group has well thought out, future plans and projects to fulfill its mandate. If NIWIIT is to become one of the top recognized organizations advancing the cause of women and girls in IT in Nigeria, it must address issues relating to capacity building, while facilitating the contribution of women and girls in the nation’s technological development. It should embrace purposeful networking - to exchange ideas, share experiences, highlight success stories, monitor progress, collaborate, mentor and build capacities. </div>
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Women in ICT blog wishes NIWIIT well!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-41118863392551523972014-03-12T22:17:00.002+01:002014-03-14T15:11:52.114+01:00What are your plans for the 2014 Girls in ICT Day? <div style="text-align: justify;">
What are your plans for the 2014 Girls in ICT Day?
Girls in ICT day is a day to provide information and inspiration to help girls and women grow in the dynamic and challenging information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Jidaw notes that it's about revealing the exciting multi-disciplinary ICT career opportunities for tech professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators to more young women and girls. This year’s Girls in ICT Day will be celebrated on 24 April 2014. </div>
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ICT enabled innovation has changed the world and is the tool of opportunity. 2014, year of innovation, but what role do women play in this driver of change? This role deserves more attention. Jidaw asks: How can we help girls who have an interest in ICT? The ICT sphere is still one that is largely male dominated and a lot still needs to be done to raise awareness and inspire girls and women pursue technology careers in significant numbers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8utRenfkQE4n-O3IhsdOLRQh-Gi-oLoq60sqC4VT4_xnCEgdHijCo69uaKNo-ryq5Kn1KOHde6NrSVvaEQnn8t8vPiqiLGi_vLdrKk4rGmbV4PHFB6V-Oqa65g6xXX7swBCJZtEhvfKE/s1600/girls403FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8utRenfkQE4n-O3IhsdOLRQh-Gi-oLoq60sqC4VT4_xnCEgdHijCo69uaKNo-ryq5Kn1KOHde6NrSVvaEQnn8t8vPiqiLGi_vLdrKk4rGmbV4PHFB6V-Oqa65g6xXX7swBCJZtEhvfKE/s1600/girls403FB.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Girls and Women in ICT in significant numbers</b></div>
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Backed by ITU Member States in ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Resolution 70 (Guadalajara, 2010) Girls in ICT Day is organized annually to raise issues about girls and young women in ICT. ICT is the infrastructure of the knowledge society. Activities in particular include encouraging girls and women to consider the career and entrepreneurship opportunities that abound in this sector.
Jidaw is a programme contributor on the ITU Girls in ICT Project, and raising awareness to young girls and women about the importance of joining the ICT sector and organizing such events are in line with Jidaw’s vision. Jidaw is committed to this worthy cause. The demand for people with ICT knowledge and skills is huge. Why aren’t more women seizing the opportunities and living their dreams in this thriving sector? ICT career and entrepreneurship opportunities abound for talented and skilled women. So how will the gap be bridged? </div>
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<b>Women at the Center of Development</b></div>
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We must understand what more girls and women in ICT really means. Women must have the opportunity to live their dreams and write their own stories. And in the digital economy ICT must be in the picture. Without empowering girls and young women their communities lose their ideas and potential contributions. The role of women and girls in technology is critical; not just as consumers but as creators, providers and contributors. Technology empowers women, girls economically and socially. Women must be at the center of development. The empowerment of women is essential to economic prosperity and inclusive, resilient and sustainable development. The world needs their creativity and leadership qualities. There can be no development without combining the strengths of women with the strengths of men. For the forward looking nations, women are a source of strength and opportunity. </div>
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<b>So how will you celebrate the 2014 Girls in ICT Day? </b></div>
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What will you and your organization do to foster knowledge sharing and bring attention to this critical area? I urge you to join Jidaw and other progressive individuals and organizations to acquaint girls and young women with digital opportunities and related careers. Create awareness on the important role technology can play in empowering women to meet their goals and aspirations and in eliminating gender inequalities. Be part of the advancement and empowerment of Women and Girls in ICT. </div>
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Having more girls and young women join the ICT sector, especially in the high value areas is a necessity not a luxury. It is about creating a better future for them and for their communities. Jidaw looks forward to great and successful celebrations on and around 24 April 2014 – let’s reach even more girls and young women. </div>
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Jide Awe</div>
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Founder, Jidaw </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-77499571445834934322013-04-21T18:05:00.002+01:002013-04-21T18:38:43.433+01:002013 Girls in ICT Day Nigeria<br />
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Are Girls in Information Communications Technology (ICT)? What can girls do in ICT? Nigeria and its people will be celebrating the annual Girls in ICT Day which comes up this year on April 25, 2013. What are the issues and why is this day so important? Working with an organization involved in ICT education and career development (Jidaw Systems) for several years, I celebrate the achievements of young female Jidaw alumni developing careers in ICT.</div>
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Of notable mention are Fadele Ifeoluwa Oluwatobiloba, Winner of the 2010 IT Professionalism Award, Mrs Funmilola Omojola ICT Coordinator, Grace Schools, Lagos, Ruth Anok, University Lecturer in ICT and Ajayi Oluwadolapo Anuoluwa, scorer of 1,000 perfect score in the globally recognized Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exam. Their enthusiasm and high level of professionalism shone throughout their studies. We pray that they will rewrite and redefine the face of IT in Nigeria. Many more female Jidaw alumni are making serious impact in ICT and those mentioned here serve as points of reference for the purpose of this discourse.</div>
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However,<b> Girls in ICT Day</b> has become a necessity because the overall picture of girls and women in ICT is not so bright, The low proportion of women investing in professional ICT learning programmes is challenging. The numbers are poor in both in formal education in tertiary institutions and in education outside the formal scene in the training and certification arena. Girls and women are simply not choosing professions within ICT. A recent survey conducted at our training institution over a 6 month period showed that the percentage of women that enrolled for IT Training and certification courses was less than 6% of total enrolment. ICT entrepreneurs and professionals need to have a solid foundation in ICT education. It is a knowledge industry and key participants must develop the knowledge and skills required to create opportunities and solve problems with ICT. The fact that fewer women are investing in professional ICT education is a major reason responsible for the low number of women entering the ICT profession. </div>
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The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) annually invites stakeholders with interest in Girls/Women in ICT to mark the day to focus on the necessity of having more girls and young women join the ICT sector. The union declared the fourth Thursday of April every year as a day of encouragement to girls and young women to consider careers in ICT and to remind society to support them in their choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkVY1zUmCw7F9B-rwlXQmNWna2yzXYo_RMTFhVjkTokgT68yt-M6qn3iwnJ7NfiON17uCJ0ah52x8nNi96kRxvAMmUOtttBJEvA58aj7hx_GukZn9KeaXY5jDPrBiDs-shONvtKGrwc/s1600/girlsict2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkVY1zUmCw7F9B-rwlXQmNWna2yzXYo_RMTFhVjkTokgT68yt-M6qn3iwnJ7NfiON17uCJ0ah52x8nNi96kRxvAMmUOtttBJEvA58aj7hx_GukZn9KeaXY5jDPrBiDs-shONvtKGrwc/s1600/girlsict2.jpg" height="400" width="352" /></a></div>
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<b>Encouraging Girls</b><br />
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The weak presence of women in ICT is bound to continue unless steps are taken to educate, support and encourage girls. From childhood, schools and homes should discard the current misleading male stereotyping. Teachers and parents in particular should be in front encouraging the presence of women in ICT. Girls can have satisfying careers in ICT. Gender stereotypes, which are present in homes and in educational institutions, need to be addressed. The culture is there but critical influencers must be better informed. Career guidance and counseling of girls shows the true picture of ICT by accurately highlighting the wide range of opportunities and skills required. There are opportunities for those interested in technical areas as well as non technical stuff requiring people management, initiative, problem solving, communication, team work, presentation, entrepreneurial skills and much more. </div>
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ITU suggests different types of events are suggested, with the actual choice and scale of activity or event left to each stakeholder. No funding is provided, and so stakeholders essentially do what they can afford. ITU however recognizes such efforts through its publications and online resources.<br />
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Jidaw believes that these events and other interventions should facilitate the creation of Gender sensitive work environment in the tech industry, the development of Mentoring opportunities , the creation of Women in ICT Networks as well as the development of Women in ICT policy initiatives.</div>
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<b>Visibility on social media and reach out:</b><br />
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Twitter: @ITU and #GirlsinICT<br />
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/techneedsgirls<br />
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All stories are curated on Storify: http://storify.com/ITU/girls-in-ict-day-2013<br />
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<b>We can make a Difference</b></div>
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In Nigeria, Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) will be organizing a one-day conference themed: Women and Girls in Technology - Expanding Horizons, while reports also indicate that e-Business Life Communication will celebrate the day in Lagos on April 25, 2013 and goes with the theme: “Tech Needs Girls to Invent the Future”. Top personalities from Tech industry and outside are expected to speak at these events.</div>
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Growth is stunted when girls and women are unable to develop their capabilities, talents and live their dreams. By being in the driving seat of the digital age girls can fulfill potential with ICT careers. Communities and societies need their ideas and contributions to be more competitive. Exclusion and discrimination wastes the important contributions of girls and women. It’s not just about NGOs, big names and high visibility events alone. It's also about what we do in our everyday lives. We can make a difference with our actions and attitudes.</div>
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Everyone - people, NGOs, private sector, governments - needs to know that the empowerment of women is in their best interest. Encourage more women to participate in ICT educational programmes and pursue ICT careers. Celebrate and Highlight the achievements of girls and women in ICT</div>
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The empowerment of girls in ICT is too important to be left alone to government ministries and GET INVOLVED!! Let everyday be Girls in ICT day!<br />
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Jide Awe<br />
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Founder, Jidaw<br />
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<b>HAVE YOUR SAY:</b> How will you be marking Girls in ICT Day? What should be the main focus?Please share your comments, thoughts and opinions.</div>
Join us on <b><a href="http://twitter/jidawlist" target="_blank" title="Tweet - IT Development and Growth">Twitter</a></b>, <b><a href="https://plus.google.com/117578280576292800295" target="_blank" title="Google+ Community">Google</a></b> or <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mastercomputers" target="_blank" title="FB - engaging and connecting">Facebook</a></b>. Subscribe for FREE IT Updates <b><a href="http://www.ebusinessnigeria.com/ebusiness/subscribe.html" title="Free Newsletter - ICT News, Tips, Insights, IT Career and More">here</a></b>.<br />
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-85555326124160088422013-04-14T09:40:00.003+01:002013-04-14T09:41:42.197+01:00NIWIIT Abuja Chapter Executive Inaugurated<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Nigeria Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT) Abuja Chapter Executive has been inaugurated. </b></div>
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The Nigeria Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT), is an interest group of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), NIWIIT was established to promote the progress of women in the profession and industry in Nigeria. </div>
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The inauguration of the Abuja Chapter follows the election of the executive earlier this year. Dr (Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu, Second Vice President of NCS and President of NIWIIT and Mrs. Aderonke Bello, Vice President, Nigerian Women in Information Technology were present and played leading roles at the event.. Dr Ilechukwu administered the inauguration pledge on the new executive.</div>
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In addition, the newly elected NCS Abuja chapter chairman Prince Majemite attended the ceremony and delivered a good will message. </div>
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The NIWIIT Abuja Chapter executive is wished a peaceful and fruitful tenure. <br />
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Here are some event pictures:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTL5YAo-mJHx_YhTXt2twwzSZp7rmEIR7GSBxxqKKSn8pHz4pD1hEQp9ltspfeGWx051rm9XFSkYmhj3ML904gptJrHmmG6_TZ7Fjeap2OMsYoYSKAT75jzqh4I7ZFWhzQAAgU8ov2oU/s1600/niwiit+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTL5YAo-mJHx_YhTXt2twwzSZp7rmEIR7GSBxxqKKSn8pHz4pD1hEQp9ltspfeGWx051rm9XFSkYmhj3ML904gptJrHmmG6_TZ7Fjeap2OMsYoYSKAT75jzqh4I7ZFWhzQAAgU8ov2oU/s1600/niwiit+400.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NIWIIT Abuja Chapter Exco Taking Inauguration pledge<br />
From right to left we have:<br />Chapter Coordinator - Mrs Iyabo Adeleke-Adedeji<br />Secretary - Ms Christiana Enang<br />Treasurer - Mrs Dayo Quadri<br />Welfare Officer - Mrs Yemisi Oyinlola<br />Special Duties Officer - Mrs Tokunbo Adebisi </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihNtJpWhp_ayyBo9Rn269r3W68nUpFl3QwpD7FGtib12OMdkwQ5CM64lJYhNq9sbpXCJLVI18PSCSGDGUajhWIceMcU2K06zoDc2LyzhLPmjg0JKLn-mfewN9hm47oDDsea3FSorWcEY/s1600/niwiit+all+vp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihNtJpWhp_ayyBo9Rn269r3W68nUpFl3QwpD7FGtib12OMdkwQ5CM64lJYhNq9sbpXCJLVI18PSCSGDGUajhWIceMcU2K06zoDc2LyzhLPmjg0JKLn-mfewN9hm47oDDsea3FSorWcEY/s1600/niwiit+all+vp2.jpg" height="167" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National NIWIIT Officers, Abuja Chapter Executive and Attendees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifddqXcEGEwDimlUFSHwSByDysmBjIssJWBYAhafRnISLOWwgtkxYCVSY1n3vbOaL_cREKDKiifOULj5h2ZUa3kUX6m97yxktuKZYmxMbavI11_59VnHQHrzjazC_QSMknBGe_AngrQ74/s1600/niwiit+vp2+oath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifddqXcEGEwDimlUFSHwSByDysmBjIssJWBYAhafRnISLOWwgtkxYCVSY1n3vbOaL_cREKDKiifOULj5h2ZUa3kUX6m97yxktuKZYmxMbavI11_59VnHQHrzjazC_QSMknBGe_AngrQ74/s1600/niwiit+vp2+oath.jpg" height="377" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National President NIWIIT administering Inauguration pledge. Seated is Mrs. Aderonke Bello, Vice President, NIWIIT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President, NIWIIT and members of the new Abuja Chapter Executive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-30190935279313619882013-03-15T09:49:00.001+01:002013-03-15T09:49:50.701+01:00Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship for Female Applicants<b>Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme Female Applicants</b><br />
<br />
<b>MWALIMU NYERERE AFRICAN UNION SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME Special Call for Scholarship Applications<br />(Only for Female Applicants)<br />Masters Programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Education Science (STEME)</b><br />
<br />
Launched in 2007 with the aim of producing and retaining high level African human resources for sustainable development of Africa in critical development areas, while promoting regional integration through intra-African mobility of students. The Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme intends to enable young Africans to study in leading African Universities with a binding agreement that beneficiaries will work in any African country for at least the same duration of scholarship period after graduation.<br />
<br />
The Commission of the African Union offers a <b>Special Call for Scholarship Applications (Only for Female Applicants) to study Masters Programmes in Engineering and Applied Sciences, tenable in reputable African Universities.</b><br />
Thr programme aims to encourage and facilitate the participation of young African female students at postgraduate level in the field of Masters Programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Education Science (STEME), <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA</b><br />
To be eligible for the Special Scholarship, a candidate must:<br />
<ul>
<li>Be a Female Citizen of an African Union Member State</li>
<li>Be under the age of thirty five (35) years.</li>
<li>Be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of STEM</li>
<li>Have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement as evidenced by academic transcripts.</li>
<li>Have proof of admission to a reputable university in any African Union</li>
<li>Member State to undertake a full time Masters programme</li>
<li>Be willing to commit to work in an African Union Member State on completion of study for at least three (3) years.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY:</b><br />
<br />
The following fields of study are eligible:<br />
<ul>
<li>Science</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>Engineering</li>
<li>Mathematics</li>
<li>Education Science</li>
</ul>
<br />
The Masters programme should be of two years duration<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Closing Date: 30 April 2013</b><br />
<br />
Details and Method of Application on: <br />
<b><a href="http://hrst.au.int/en/sites/default/files/English_%20Female%20Scholarship%20Call.pdf" target="_blank">Site</a></b><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-71248055887979335542013-03-08T18:02:00.001+01:002013-03-08T18:02:50.167+01:00Happy Women's Day 2013<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Big Salute to all women today, 8 March 2013 as the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD). Our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, female colleagues are special. But are they empowered? Are they moving forward? There can be no progress without women. As we salute all women and men on another Women's day, our question on the Women in ICT Blog is: what is the future without the empowerment of women with information and communications technologies (ICTs)?</div>
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<br /></div>
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In 2011, Jidaw observed the centenary IWD by organizing a special session on the Advancement and Empowerment of Women through ICTs with the theme, “Empower Women, Create the Future”, during its FREE IT Career Seminar. The essence of the special “Empower Women, Create the Future” session was to celebrate the achievement of women in ICT, to inform and encourage women and men about the impact women have in ICT and to promote the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jidaw used the special session to sensitize the public and create awareness on policies, practices and action required to advance and empower women and promote gender equality with ICTs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Women have a place in ICT, the world needs the contribution of women in ICT and we need the ideas and contributions of women in ICT to make significant impact in society. The empowerment of women in ICT is in the interest of everyone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The issues behind the importance of Women’s Day are about people, development and progress. Can there really be progress with women still in chains, and left behind? Where is the voice of women? Are women able to freely make their own choices and live full lives? Do women have control? Do women own their progress, their education, their future? The challenges of development, the challenges of health, education and poverty all need the active participation and contribution of women. Women are not bystanders, or onlookers, women are contributors and change drivers. Support of gender equality and empowerment of women is a vote for a better future.</div>
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For a better world, girls and women need support, opportunities and access to resources to develop their capabilities, talents and live their dreams. It’s about fulfilling their potentials to improve themselves and their communities. Without women in ICT there can be no progress. Exclusion and discrimination wastes the important contributions of women.</div>
<br />
Women in ICT Blog urges you to make everyday Women’s Day!<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-22669033551940941612013-02-15T22:01:00.002+01:002013-02-16T11:59:44.171+01:002012 NCS Fellows Women in ICT<div style="text-align: justify;">
Women in ICT were some of the New Fellows of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) admitted into the College of Fellows during the 2012 National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA). As Jidaw observes the Fellow grade, one of the most respected titles in the IT community is the highest grade of the NCS professional cadre. Women in ICT honoured with being at the top of the IT profession are: <b>Dr (Mrs) Titilola Akinlade and Mrs. Aderonke Bello. </b><br />
Women in ICT Blog celebrates the achievement of these achievement of Great women in ICT.</div>
<br />
<b>Mrs. Aderonke Bello</b> <br />
<ul>
<li>Managing Director of Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited; an ICT in education consulting firm</li>
<li>Holds Bsc and Msc first and second degrees in Computer Science from University of Lagos. Holds a masters degree in curriculum and instructional technology from Abilene Christian University, Texas, USA</li>
<li>Over 25 years of experience in both IT and Education sectors. Has been Deputy National Coordinator, SchoolNet Nigeria. </li>
<li>Coordinated various teams that have set up over 250 computer laboratories in secondary schools across the nation. International trainer that trained educators in Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya</li>
<li>Served in national assignments leading to the development of the National ICT in Education policy for Nigeria. Presently Vice President, Nigerian Women in Information Technology. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3LgZ2fD6HhU2-JD-uJx6_3Y0DlyPKYclTKmyv6gfUh2D_4ZWc3GSRwEU5-qY3Im5egB_KnCiYDkXlu8vg3c7aYH-k02_M6AlDnx19QsQ89kUu3884aqgeGvPXQJg5UjgJ11P_MAYJdg/s1600/aderonke+bello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3LgZ2fD6HhU2-JD-uJx6_3Y0DlyPKYclTKmyv6gfUh2D_4ZWc3GSRwEU5-qY3Im5egB_KnCiYDkXlu8vg3c7aYH-k02_M6AlDnx19QsQ89kUu3884aqgeGvPXQJg5UjgJ11P_MAYJdg/s320/aderonke+bello.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs Aderonke Bello receiving her Fellowship Award</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Dr (Mrs) Titilola Olusola Akinlade</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Project Manager for SAP projects in the West Africa region for Mobil Producing Nigeria, an ExxonMobil affiliate, the international oil and gas company</li>
<li>Holds First Class Bsc degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos, Msc degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and PhD degree from the University of Lagos</li>
<li>34 year career spanning the public, academic and private sectors with experience in programming, system analysis, technical support. IT implementation</li>
<li>Provided and provides wide range of IT management and leadership functions for ExxonMobil in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Cameroon, Houston, USA </li>
<li>Formal mentor since 2009 as part of an ExxonMobil –sponsored “Women Mentoring Women” programme, receiving Best Mentor Award in 2010.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dr (Mrs) Titilola Akinlade and Mrs. Aderonke Bello have broken barriers despite hostility and challenges in the environment. They serve as an inspiration to young people in industry, especially young girls and women. We applaud, recognize and celebrate them. We challenge other women – “IF they can do it, so can you!”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don’t rest on your oars! We urge you to see this elevation as a call to do even more. Your Best is still ahead.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What do think about the achievement of these Amazons? How should we the new Fellows? Share your comments and opinions.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
======================================================<br />
Jide Awe<br />
Innovation and Development Advisor, ICT<br />
<br />
ICT Development Advisory Support and Consulting Nigeria<br />
<a href="http://z.jidaw.com/ictDASC" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1360961561_3">http://z.jidaw.com/ictDASC</span></a><br />
"Technology matters, but it is always about people".<br />
======================================================Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-3372189342641532612013-02-07T13:35:00.000+01:002013-02-07T13:45:30.949+01:00Nigerian Women in IT Abuja to Hold Elections<br />
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<b>Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT)
Abuja chapter</b> will be holding the Election of Executives on Friday, February 15,
2013. All interested women should send their profile with
a photograph to NiWIIT Abuja by
Friday, Feb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8, 2013 (details below). </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
NIWIIT is the interest group of the Nigeria
Computer Society (NCS) established by women in the Nigerian Computing and
Information Technology profession and industry to promote the progress of women
in the profession and industry in Nigeria.<br />
<br />
NiWIIT will "provide and support
purposeful leadership that will guarantee the overall welfare of women in the
profession and industry hereto from".</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
NIWIIT Abuja Chapter will be conducting Election of
Executives into the following positions:</div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>State coordinator</div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secretary</div>
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<br /></div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Public relations officer</div>
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<br /></div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Financial secretary</div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Treasurer</div>
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<br /></div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Welfare officer</div>
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<br /></div>
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·<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Special duties officer</div>
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<br /></div>
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The election will hold on Friday, February 15, 2013
at 4pm. Venue: Courtyard, Apo Sparklight Mall, opposite Living Faith Church,
Durumi District, Abuja.</div>
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<br /></div>
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All interested women should send their profile with
a photograph (not more than 100Kb in size) to niwiitabuja@gmail.com latest
Friday, Feb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8, 2013. <a href="http://niwiitabuja.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Visit NiWIIT Abuja Blog</a>.</div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAn110prrm_SSCpaabTemdZj7iO1nk-GEgxG5Eu36G8TPqx_TB-QwGjwdtYogsZBDAzqQgCzrGdnx4bjbv5jSeBQ_Hm9vWFlh0dM26Oxzklu2J_9nocM8El0WvlHVNDXDzCvt4Ymp3oo/s1600/Launch+of+Nigerian+Women+in+Information+Technology+NIWIT+5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAn110prrm_SSCpaabTemdZj7iO1nk-GEgxG5Eu36G8TPqx_TB-QwGjwdtYogsZBDAzqQgCzrGdnx4bjbv5jSeBQ_Hm9vWFlh0dM26Oxzklu2J_9nocM8El0WvlHVNDXDzCvt4Ymp3oo/s400/Launch+of+Nigerian+Women+in+Information+Technology+NIWIT+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="title">
Nigerian Women in IT</h1>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
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NiWIIT was established during the 2012 NCS Conference in Uyo, Akwa
Ibom state.<br />
<br />
The laudable aims and objectives of NiWIIT include: fostering unity
among Nigerian women in the IT industry through networking, maintaining and
defending the integrity and right of women in the IT industry.</div>
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NIWIIT further aims to<br />
<ul>
<li>promote professionalism,
capacity building and good relationship among members through mentoring, maintaining
the highest standard of ethics, </li>
<li>conduct, virtue, etiquette and discipline among
women in the IT industry, </li>
<li>create a platform by which women in IT can
collaborate with other women in other professions in Nigeria and elsewhere, </li>
<li>create awareness programs for IT related services and products among women in
the rural and sub-urban areas in Nigeria, special target groups and students in
secondary schools and tertiary institutions.</li>
</ul>
And most importantly it is focused on encouraging more female
participation in the IT profession.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Women in ICT Blog looks forward to the success of the NiWIIT Abuja Chapter Election!</div>
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Women in ICT Blog wishes NiWIIT great progress in all its undertakings! </div>
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Kudos to the Great IT Women!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-30863510057578555592012-09-13T07:12:00.000+01:002012-09-13T07:12:31.101+01:00Women in ICT Summit Nigeria<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Women in ICT Summit (WITS) will be
holding at the </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">National
Centre for Women Development Garki, Abuja from 18<sup>th</sup> – 20<sup>th</sup>
of September, 2012. Organized by the High Tech Women Centre for Nigerian Women
and Youths, a Non Governmental Organisation, WITS </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is an annual event for<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>Nigerian women in the public and private sectors<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">According
to the announcement, this year’s Summit is themed “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Effective Implementation of Governments’ Transformation Agenda and
Policies through ICTs: Issues, Opportunities and Roles for Nigeria Women”. </b>It
aims at addressing the feasibility/possibility of women using ICT in promoting
local and indigenous implementation of Government Policies (i.e. ICT, STI,
Health, Agriculture, Environment, Trade and Commerce Policies) and its effects
on the respective communities. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">The
release notes that women </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">constitute over
half of the world’s population and contribute in vital ways to societal
development generally. In most societies women assume five key roles: mother,
producer, home-manager, and community organizer, socio-cultural and political
activists. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the
release states concern that major institutional constraints to women’s
participation in economic activities and development process in societies are inadequate
access to factors of production and trade, lack of credit facilities, lack of
training opportunities, skill acquisition, limited access to appropriate
production technologies and social inclusion. It states further that one of the
greatest problems facing the Nigerian economy is the techniques in formulation
and implementation of national policies. Observing that the role of women is quite
important in the formulation and implementation of all policies, the release
states that e</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fforts through special
legislation, state bye-laws and gender specific policies at all levels of
government and by the civil society though note-worthy, have not deliver
dividends of development to women and men equitably.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Women and ICT </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Noting
that Information Communications Technology (ICT) is the bedrock of educational
and socio-economic developments, the release states that it has been widely
proven that “Technology needs women for all sorts of reasons”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A major thrust in the effort to close the
gender gap and to get women involved in ICT for personal, gender, social and
financial empowerment has been encouraged. The importance of ICTs to women lies
less in the technology itself, but in the capacity to facilitate improved
access to information and communication. ICTs find applicability in virtually
every field of human endeavour namely education, health, transport, social
work, politics, law and even religion; facilitating greater access to market
information, fostering learning opportunities through distance-learning, as
well as raising incomes of families through e-commerce. W</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">omen need to be informed with the
latest technology and the trend in technological development as they exert
significant influence on the children and their immediate environment to be
able to contribute sufficiently to policy implementation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who to Attend</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Women
of Ages from 20years and above</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Policy
Makers and Female Parliamentarians</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Public
Sector Personnel (Federal, State and Local Government Workers)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Organised
Private Sector</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Business
Women</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NGOs
and Civil Societies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Academia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Professional
Bodies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Female
Students (Undergraduate and Post graduates)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fees and Important Dates</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Summit Fees: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Early Registration: On or before 14<sup>th</sup>
of September, 2012<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span> <s style="text-line-through: double;">N</s>32,000.00 </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Late Registration: After 14<sup>th</sup>
to Payments at Summit Venue<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><s style="text-line-through: double;">N</s> 37, 500.00</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students Fees Early: On or before 14<sup>th</sup>
of September, 2012 - <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><s style="text-line-through: double;">N</s> 27,000.00</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students Fees Late: After 14<sup>th</sup>
till Summit Venue <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><s style="text-line-through: double;">N</s> 32,500.00</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">For Enquiries, Sponsorship and Registration:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Contact Event’s Manager/Consultant
– HOJOB Consults Ltd on 08034241874, 08126374612;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Or Deola on 08055204972 and Kehinde
on 08067126935</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-5351546229924809142012-09-11T10:59:00.000+01:002012-09-11T10:59:06.361+01:00Women Entrepreneurial Programme Nigeria<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nigeria's Government has announced that it is inviting Women to take part in the YouWiN! Women, entrepreneurial scheme which
is designed for only female entrepreneurs aged 45 years or less. Women in ICT Blog notes that the initiative was developed to accelerate the progress of young enterprising Nigerian women. The aim of the scheme appears to be support of such women in launching and running sustainable business enterprises that will create jobs and foster change in Nigeria.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
YouWiN! means Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria. Women in ICT blog notes that it is intended to be an innovative business plan competition geared towards job creation and enterprise development by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youth in Nigeria to develop and execute innovative, business ideas. <br /><br />There is certainly a need for strategic initiatives that will support entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, especially amongst women. The need for capacity building - skill development, access to information and funding - is glaring. Women need to live their dreams and society needs their contributions to create a better world. The stand of Women in ICT Blog is that this is a commendable initiative provided it is inclusive and merit based. In particular this blog recommends that to ensure significant job creation impact, projects that involve ICT and innovation should be prioritized. </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Method of Application</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
To enter, log on to <a href="http://www.youwin.org.ng/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YOU WIN WEBSITE</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Entries close October 14th, 2012<br />
1,200 Winners to get up to N10 Million Open to Young Women 18-45 yrs.<br />
<br />
<br />
YouWIN! is an initiative of the Federal Ministries of Finance, Youth Development, Communications Technology and Women Affairs<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-69835923144986970402012-08-31T20:57:00.000+01:002012-08-31T20:57:17.378+01:00Nigerian Women in Information TechnologyWomen in ICT blog has learnt that the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT) is a new interest group of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). The motto of NIWIT is "Advancing the use of Information Technology amongst women".
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. INTRODUCTION</b>:<br />
NIWIT is a new Interest Group in NCS like ITAN, ISPON, ISPAN, etc. Women in ICT blog was informed that membership is open to female members of NCS, CPN and any woman involved in IT. Since NCS requires every registered member to belong to an interest group, Women in ICT blog observes that is now an option for all women in the IT industry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6tG0Cb9ScBPzfiR4hF7Z-u-9ygx8U2wmHX4w1fGivizWpjlC7cGTSYEMn_T-Ynp6DcTXZA_lN8JvnYCF3oyTKCxiGjAZs31cWsoMza_I6AiFbwhRczZ-N7nhfNCkgnrM41WQERkvGMo/s1600/Launch+of+Nigerian+Women+in+Information+Technology+NIWIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6tG0Cb9ScBPzfiR4hF7Z-u-9ygx8U2wmHX4w1fGivizWpjlC7cGTSYEMn_T-Ynp6DcTXZA_lN8JvnYCF3oyTKCxiGjAZs31cWsoMza_I6AiFbwhRczZ-N7nhfNCkgnrM41WQERkvGMo/s400/Launch+of+Nigerian+Women+in+Information+Technology+NIWIT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Launch of NIWIT at NCS Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES</b><br />
(1) Foster unity among Nigerian women in the IT industry through networking.<br />
(2) To maintain and defend the integrity and right of women in the IT industry.<br />
(3) To promote professionalism, capacity building and good relationship among members through mentoring
(4) To maintain the highest standard of ethics, conduct, virtue, etiquette and discipline among women in the IT industry.<br />
(5) To engage in any activity and ventures which will promote NIWIIT as well as the welfare of members?
(6) To create a platform by which women in IT can collaborate with other women in other professions in Nigeria and elsewhere.<br />
(7) To develop and train members of the NIWIIT through workshops and capacity building programs.<br />
(8) To create awareness programs for IT related services and products among women in the rural and sub-urban areas in Nigeria, special target groups and students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions
(9) To encourage more female participation in the IT profession.
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>3. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES</b><br />
(1) Professional<br />
(2) Non-Professional<br />
(3) Student<br />
(4) Corporate
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>For further information on NIWIT, please contact:</b><br />
1. Mrs. Owolabi - 08034023651<br />
2. Mrs. Elusoji - 08033046122<br />
3. Mrs. Archibong - 08065546988<br />
4. Mrs. Faluyi - 08033933461<br />
5. Mrs. Orji - 08033350916<br />
6. Mrs. Ayodele - 08069804373
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Secretariat:</b><br />
Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT)<br />
C/o Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)<br />
Plot 10, Otunba Jobi Fele Way,
Alausa, Ikeja<br />
P.M.B 4800
Surulere,
Lagos.<br />
<br />
Email:
ncsniwiit@gmail.com or info@niwiit.org<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-42587510636906573082012-07-07T01:20:00.000+01:002012-07-07T01:20:46.298+01:00She Will Innovate Women in Technology Challenge<b>Information for Women in ICT "She Will Innovate" competition: $10K+ of funding</b><br /><br />Intel Corporation and Changemakers have recently launched a challenge: She Will Innovate: Technology Solutions Enriching the Lives of Girls. The challenge intends to highlight and celebrate information and communication technology solutions that improve the lives of girls and women. According to the release from Intel, the challenge is interested in "programs that break down barriers to ICT access, ideas that accelerate digital literacy, and projects that use ICT to empower women to lead better lives".<br /><br />
Digital technologies provide tools that empower women. They enable women
to break through the barriers that prevent them from improving their
health, education, and well-being.<br />
<br />
<b>Prizes</b><br />Three prizes of $10,000 each are available to the entries that best demonstrate innovation, impact, and sustainability. <b>Entries submitted before July 18, 2012 are also eligible for an Early Entry Prize of $500. The final deadline for entries is August 15, 2012 at 5 PM EST. </b><br />
<br />
<br /><b>When girls and women succeed, everybody succeeds. </b><br />
Communities that fail to progress are those that promote the interests of women and see them as a source of growth. Many countries in the developing world are unable to keep up because women are being left behind. And as this blog stresses technology can be used to advance and empower women. The potential of Information and communication technologies is massive to contribute to economic growth and development, and to improve the lives of people—girls and women in particular—given the complex challenges they face that prevent them from reaching their true potential. <br /><br />The challenge is a global search for the best emerging ideas that have utilized technology to realize the potential for women to be changemakers; that break down barriers to access, accelerate digital literacy, and promote economic resilience. It's about celebrating innovation for the benefit of girls and women.<br /><br />Innovations could be for web based education or mobile phone services that empower women and promote innovation for woemn. If you're a tech innovator or a catalyst for change, the challenge wants to hear from you!<br /><br />Submit your solution (or nominate an initiative) today! Click here for More: <b><a href="http://www.changemakers.com/girltech?utm_source=contacts-potent&utm_medium=email-indiv&utm_content=tvinh&utm_campaign=girltech" target="_blank">She Will Innovate</a></b><br />
<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-21986852138293872172012-06-17T16:57:00.001+01:002012-06-17T16:57:57.485+01:00Call for Articles for ICT Update issue on Women and ICTs<b>Call for articles for ICT Update issue on women and ICTs in Agricultural or Rural Development</b><br />
<br />
The ICT Update publication has announced a call for articles on Women and ICTs working on agricultural or rural development projects. The content is expected to emphasize the role and position of women in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, where ICTs (mobile phones, computers, GIS, email, internet, radio, TV, etc).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How are ICTs being employed in these areas to create jobs and improve productivity in agriculture or the rural communities.
ICT Update is a bimonthly printed bulletin, web magazine, and accompanying e-mail newsletter focuses on the use of information and communication technologies in agriculture in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It is published in English and French, by CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation) in Wageningen in the Netherlands. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Specifically, the publication is looking for projects that focus on empowerment, female rural entrepreneurship, capacity building, etc. Are you involved in projects of this nature? If you are, send in brief details on the technology you use, how young people are involved, and the contributions to rural development in ACP countries. ICT Update will respond with an article outline and list of questions to cover in the article, or organise a time for a telephone interview. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition, the publication is interested in receiving interesting information on ICTs for women in rural areas, such as background information, recently published reports, papers or other documents, etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The announcements states that, "We want to distinguish new trends, want to know if women have more access to ICTs compared with some years ago and in relation to men, with what kind of ICTS they mostly work, and how ICTs can improve the empowerment, job possibilities, female entrepreneurship etc. of women in rural areas in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>MAKE CONTACT</b><br />
Make contact and also for more information, send an email to:<br />
Evert-jan Quak: evert-jan@contactivity.com<br />
Chris Addison: addison@cta.int<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-50579482170902296302012-05-29T16:22:00.000+01:002012-05-29T16:22:55.000+01:00Gender Policy Dialogue Nigeria<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Gender Policy Dialogue Nigeria</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The World Bank has been organizing a Gender Policy Dialogue throughout Nigeria with the Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID). The dialogue appears aimed at removing discrimination and gender inequalities in society.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In this light, <b><a href="http://www.mastercomputersng.com/" target="_blank">Jidaw</a> and the Women in ICT blog</b> is of the view that it is important to encourage the full participation of girls and women in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Not just as users but as professionals, creators and entrepreneurs.
ICT is not just an area for reducing costs or improving operational efficiency. ICT is a priority sector for job and wealth creation, national transformation and inclusive, sustainable development. And the world needs the ideas, strengths and contributions of women in ICT.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jidaw agrees 100% with the assertion in the World Bank release on the Gender Policy Dialogue that “Eliminating barriers that discriminate against women working in certain sectors or occupations could increase labor productivity by as much as 25 percent in some countries”.
<a href="http://nigeriacomputers.com/tech-news/nigeria-computer-society-drives-change/" target="_blank"><b></b></a><b><a href="">Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)</a></b>, the largest and top association and advocacy group for IT professionals and stakeholders, has also wished the dialogue success. And as NCS observed, it is however hoped that the dialogue is truly multi stakeholder and that most especially stakeholders in ICT will be part of charting the way forward in such important discussions. All stakeholders need to be involved to ensure the dialogue doesn't end up being just be another talk shop. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technology needs to be in the equation. We live, interact and do business in a technology driven world. Massive digital exclusion is a threat to sustainable development. Gender talk without action and substance will not get us anywhere. How seriously can women live their dreams and create a better future for themselves and their communities without ICT?
ICT is central to all sectors mentioned in the World Bank release – economic empowerment for women, improvement of health conditions and access to justice and the political voice of women in the country. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
NCS is a key promoter of IT for sustainable development and governance and has contributed significantly to the IT policy development and practice in Nigeria. In this regard, to make the dialogue meaningful and truly participatory, it is essential that NCS is a part of this multi-stakeholder platform to explore ways and best practices on mainstreaming gender and ensuring inclusive growth. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently Jidaw, Women in ICT blog and NCS joined other stakeholders to celebrate World Telecommunication & Information Society Day, which had the 2012 theme: “Women and Girls in ICT”
Wishing World Bank and the Gender Policy Dialogue great success!
The world needs the ideas, strengths and contributions of women in ICT #GirlsinICT #WTISD <a href="http://nigeriacomputers.com/tech-news/women-girls-wtisd-2012/" target="_blank">Girls and Women in ICT</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-83100462593674393032012-04-28T20:02:00.000+01:002012-04-28T20:02:58.970+01:00National ICT e-Contest for Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /><br /><img alt="Women and Girls in ICT " src="http://nigeriacomputers.com/wp-content/themes/designerspit/scale-image.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnigeriacomputers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fwomen-250.jpg&w=200&h=200" /> </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<b>National ICT e-Contest for Girls</b><br /><br /> </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITN) is organizing the National ICT e-Contest for Girls /Awareness The competition geared towards highlighting the opportunities for women and girls in ICT opened on <br />International Girls in ICT Day- April 26th, 2012 and closes on August 31st 2012. </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
The contest is supported and endorsed by Nigeria computer Society (NCS), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), International Centre for Communication Studies and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Areas to covered include Essay on ICT, Graphics design/Painting, Comics/Animation, Web Development, Mobile Applications and Games Development.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>International Girls in ICT Day</b><br />
ITU encourages everyone (individuals, schools, teachers, corporate firms, government agencies and institutions) to mark the International Girls in ICT Day celebrated annually on each fourth Thursday in April, by presenting opportunities for girls to learn and get involved in opportunities for education and work in the ICT sector. This year’s Girls ICT Day was celebrated on April 26, 2012. The contest’s aim is to provide girls with in-depth knowledge of career fields. In doing this girls will be motivated choose technology careers for achieving their dreams, fulfilling their potentials and contributing to their communities. ITU states that International Girls' Day is an initiative designed to create a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communication technologies.<br /><br />Already pilot projects and campaigns have been launched in a number of countries for about 20 years, with the aim to change girls' and young women's behavior patterns with regard to their choice of career and to expand their spectrum of career options.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Contest</b><br />
<br />WITIN has therefore developed the e-contest for girls as an avenue to make ICT an attractive career option for girls and to change and challenge stereotypes limiting the impact of women and girls in ICT. In particular In particular, WITN intends to sensitize schools and parents on the need to encourage girls to pursue careers in ICT. The contest is also designed through the assignments to expose young girls to the diversity of growth and lifetime fulfillment opportunities within the ICT sector.<br />
<br />The contest is for young girls between ages 11 - 20 years in Nigerian Secondary schools. Prizes will be won by the Participating students and schools.<br /><br /><b>Contest Co-ordinators</b> are: Tim Akinbo (Timba Objects), Femi Bello (ASV IT Solution), Nnenna Nwakanma (Nnenna.org), Nkemdilim Uwaje(Future Soft), Ore Somolu (Women's Technology Empowerment Centre) and Martha Omoekpen Alade (WITIN). <b> </b><br />
<b>The panel of judges are: </b>Prof Adenike Osofisan (University of Ibadan), Prof Stella Chiemeke(University of Benin), Dr Virgy Ejiofor (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka), Dr Sylvanus Ehikioya (NCC Abuja), Oni Omogbadegun (Covenant University), Jide Awe (Jidaw Systems), Gbenga Sesan (Paradigm Initiative Nigeria).<br /><br />The mission of WITN is “Using ICT to promote socio-economic empowerment of women and address equity issues with regard to gender, disadvantaged groups as well as those in rural and under-served communities”.<br /><br />Interested students, parents, teachers and schools should find out more here: <a href="http://girlsday.org.ng/girlsinict/index.php" target="_blank">Girls in ICT Contest Nigeria</a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-82844564331152875312012-04-07T13:25:00.002+01:002012-04-07T20:22:37.415+01:00Women and Girls in ICT - World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2012<b>World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2012, 17 May - Women and Girls in ICT</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mastercomputersng.com/" target="_blank">Jidaw Systems</a> in conjunction with the <a href="http://www.jidaw.com/security/aisa/aisa.html" target="_blank">African Information Security Association (AISA)</a> will hold a special session on the empowerment of women with ICTs during the May 19, 2012, <a href="http://www.mastercomputersng.com/gap.html" target="_blank">FREE IT Career Seminar</a> to mark the 2012 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has announced “Women and Girls in ICT” as the theme of the 2012 WTISD. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Every year on May 17, WTISD ITU highlights issues that are important to ensuring that the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) are deployed and used to drive development and make significant impact in closing the digital divide. In recent years themes have ranged from <a href="http://www.jidaw.com/childrencybersafety/" target="_blank">Child Online protection</a>, Better life with ICTs in cities, <a href="http://nigeriacomputers.com/ict-children/better-life-in-rural-communities-with-icts/" target="_blank">Better Life with ICTs for rural development</a>. This year ITU invites everyone to raise issues involved in the impact and progressive development of women in ICT. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Women and Girls in ICT” session</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jidaw’s special “Women and Girls in ICT” session</b> will celebrate the achievements of women in ICT, inform and encourage women and men about the impact women have in ICT and will promote the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs. Jidaw further intends to employ the special session as a means of sensitizing the public and raising public awareness on policies, practices and action required to <a href="http://nigeriacomputers.com/ict4d/empower-women-create-the-future/" target="_blank">advance and empower women and promote gender equality with ICTs</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, ITU encourages that the international “Girls in ICT Day” should be marked every year on the fourth Thursday of April. This year the “Girls in ICT Day” will be held on 26 April 2012. ITU states that members should “ host events where girls and young women are invited to ICT companies and government agencies to appreciate the opportunities the ICT sector holds for their future”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Advancement and Empowerment of women in ICT</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In line with this theme, Jidaw’s blog on the advancement and empowerment of women in ICT, the <a href="http://womenict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Women in ICT Blog</a> advocates the promotion of ICT opportunities for women and girls through practical actions and the adoption of strategies and policies geared towards closing the gender digital gap. Already the Women in ICT Blog promotes women in ICT efforts through the regular provision of content promoting the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs. As part of its ICT4D advocacy efforts, the Women in ICT Blog will work with other stakeholders in ICT to mark May 17, 2012. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Women play an important role in society but without full involvement and participation in ICT, are they living to their full potentials? Can there be real development in society if inequalities exist and persist even in areas that drive significant change such as ICT? What can be done to ensure that our communities and societies benefit fully from the ideas, strengths and energies of women and girls through ICT? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Empower women and create the future</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Empowering girls and women to live their dreams enables them to use their talents and skills to contribute and meet the needs of society. ICT is a powerful tool that must be harnessed for this purpose. Jidaw joins the ITU in insisting that at all levels ICTs should be deployed “to provide new digital opportunities to end discrimination and empower the female half of the world’s population to achieve their rightful place as equals in the world”. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Through the <a href="http://womenict.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Women in ICT Blog</a>, Jidaw continually encourages more girls and women to invest in ICT and build professional careers in the ICT sector in significant numbers through IT career talks, awareness campaigns, stakeholder forums, mentoring programs, career initiatives, funding/scholarship programs and policies. Jidaw in addition advocates for meaningful, well thought through, pro-people strategies and policies that facilitate the increased participation at the highest level in policy making and decision making in ICT. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let’s use the 2012 WTISD to highlight digital opportunities, expand horizons and change our attitudes on Women and Girls in ICT. This theme should influence our work not only on WTISD but throughout the year and in the future as well. Empower women and create the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Contact Jidaw</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Address: 12 Eric Moore Street, Wemabod Estate, Off Adeniyi Jones Ave, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tel: 08052647395, 01-7940562, 01-8958064, 07052509148, 08035007778</div><div style="text-align: justify;">E-mail: training@jidaw.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-5644863095438492312012-04-06T20:47:00.000+01:002012-04-06T20:47:42.576+01:00Hall of Fame for Ladies in ICT Nominations<b>Nominations for WITIN's Hall of Fame: ladies in ICT</b><br />
<br />
Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) is accepting Nominations for her hall of fame for 2012/2013.<br />
<br />
Kindly send your nominee's passport together with her short profile to:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>info@witin.org</b></span><br />
<br />
Women in Technology in Nigeria is focusing on ladies within the age range of 18 - 35years who have transformed lives and impacted their society via ICT.<br />
<br />
<br />
Send in your nominations. It's time to celebrate girls and women who have in ICT. <br />
<br />
Celebrating women who have achieved in technology despite all odds spurs them to do even more and encourages other women to keep pushing forward. Technology is neither male nor female, it is about what you contribute. We must break the conventions of digital bondage.<br />
<br />
<br />
WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA (WITIN) an NGO, states that it "employs ICT to promote socio-economic empowerment of women and address equity issues with regard to gender, disadvantaged groups as well those in rural and under-served communities". It is focused on using ICT to empower women and address equity issues with regard to gender and the traditionally disadvantaged.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-21665225169188591452012-03-07T22:18:00.001+01:002012-03-07T22:23:58.431+01:00The reality of IT and Women<b style="text-align: justify;">March 8, 2012 is another Women's day.</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> What is the reality regarding the empowerment of women as Information Technology (IT) users, professionals or entrepreneurs? We are thankful for the women that have made great strides but what really is the overall picture of women within the IT sector?</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/javascript">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Are women using IT to learn, connect and improve their work and businesses? There has certainly been growth in terms of usage by women, especially in usage of cell phones, laptops, internet, ATMs, online social networks and the acquisition of basic computing skills. But is this the reality in rural communities? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The IT usage trend is really restricted to women in the urban areas, in particular those in the formal sector, the educated and the rich. The majorities in the urban poor (women and men) are still largely excluded and are not fully using technology to improve themselves or contribute meaningfully. And in fact most people living in the rural areas, especially women, live in a different world, where IT does not exist. The bitter reality is that excluded groups however constitute the majority in the populace.</div><br />
<b>Beyond usage, what is the truth of women in the IT sector?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This is the sector that drives innovation? How many women are IT entrepreneurs or professionals? Even though there is relatively improved participation of women in Nigeria’s IT sector; growth has been however an urban experience. How many women run businesses that provide IT and IT enabled products and services compared to men? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Very few women are IT entrepreneurs. Visit most IT firms and you find most women work in customer service, admin, marketing, clerical, data entry positions while only a few work in core technical areas of programming, networking, web development, database management, etc. Please note that there are exceptions; I’m painting an overall picture. There are great women making impact in IT but women are largely underrepresented in this sector. The overall state of affairs regarding women in IT is far from what it should be. </div><br />
<b>Progress in IT without Women?</b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Women are simply not visible enough in the core, creative and critical areas of IT. If Nigeria is to grow as a nation and become globally competitive, IT must be strategically deployed for development. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<ul><li>We cannot be serious about IT for development if we depend on foreign IT expertise. </li>
<li>We cannot be serious about IT for development if we are not building local human capital required in this age of innovation and technological change. </li>
<li>In view of the strategic role of entrepreneurship and innovation Nigeria must have sufficient numbers of people with IT expertise. </li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously, can we fulfill our potentials in IT if 50 percent of the potential workforce is ignored and excluded? Seriously?</div><br />
Join the Women in ICT blog in celebrating the achievements of women in IT. And let's keep pushing. There is still a lot of work to be done.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3818306025666436112.post-66917625712550932262011-11-24T20:08:00.000+01:002011-11-24T20:08:31.347+01:00Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution IGNITE Event in Nigeria<b>2011 Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution IGNITE Event in Nigeria</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>IGNITE PRESENTATION REPORT</b><br />
<b>BY: Chichi Okafor, IGNITE Coordinator Nigeria</b><br />
<br />
Hi All:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">IGNITE Nigeria Chapter had an IGNITE presentation on the 18th of November 2011. We had a super fabulous presentation at Public Affairs Section, US Consulate, Lagos Nigeria. The turnout was amazing. We had four schools in attendance. The girls asked a lot of questions - great questions!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We could have been there several more hours, if we were able. The speakers and everyone present were beyond words. The stories by the speakers were so heartfelt, inspirational, and fascinating. Even with all those girls you could hear a pin drop!! Each woman simply told her own story, which is the heart of what we do in IGNITE.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our presenters all opened up and shared their stories and their obstacles in such a real way that we all felt truly touched very deeply. There was also lots of fun and their enthusiasm was contagious. It is obvious how much they all loved coming in to talk to the girls. We are so fortunate to have the amazing women volunteers that we have.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to thank our very special speakers: Ms Ore Somolu, Director, Women's Technology Empowerment</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Centre (WTEC), Mrs. Folake Etomi, Shell Petroleum Development Company and Mr. Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You were all exceptional speakers and really connected with the young women. It was thrilling to hear all of you and watch the girls get inspired!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also want to thank Nigeria Computer Society Lagos State, The Principal, Aunty Ayo International School, The Principal, Caleb British Schools, The Principal, Pentecost College and The Principal, Grace Schools all in Lagos for making this happen. Thank you for allowing the girls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A heartfelt thank you goes to the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate for supporting me. I could not have done it without you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Comments </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now take a look at the comments from the girls, who always say it best!!</div><ul><li>I liked the teachings and the life story of the speakers, Mrs. Folake and Ms Ore. They really inspired me and showed the way on how to make it in life. I learnt that hardwork does not kill. Anthonia</li>
<li>In today’s event, I liked the issue that your gender doesn’t limit you to your choice of career but make you stand out even among your peers as a successful person. The most word I heard today was “Don’t focus on your disappointment but see it as a starting point in your achievement in life”. Chidinma</li>
<li>It fascinated me how the speakers got to where they are starting from a state of confusion, facing obstacles, overcoming challenges and other things. Also the various things you can achieve with a simple ski which you think is not valuable. Timilehin</li>
<li>I love the emphasis laid on the power of women in changing lives today and having the ability to make the world a better place. Taking my time to listen I have found this very interesting, I have enjoyed it to the very best and I am sure it has made a big impact in my life. I learnt girls have the power to do anything, create anything and change (improve) technology in a big way. Shofu</li>
<li>The most interesting thing I have heard today is about the advice and the story. It made enjoy the program and made me consider having a degree in technology. I was think about being a medical doctor. Esther</li>
<li>The interesting thing I learnt today is that I can be the best among the best even if I am the only female amongst men. I could be the leader and the best. Sharon</li>
<li>We are leaders of tomorrow. Never forget that we can be whatever we want to be, we have to be hard working. Don’t let money destroy your dream. The most interesting thing I heard today was the life story of the speakers. It really touched me and made me have interest in IGNITE. They made us believe inn ourselves. Ifunanya</li>
<li>I really learnt a lot especially thinking about what I want to be in future. I also learnt that technology subjects are very important in life. Femi</li>
<li>I liked the encouragement they gave me today, I have received more insight about my career and what I want to be. I have learnt to dream big and never relent on my effort. Chimuanya</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, what a fabulous event. I want to thank everyone who makes this all possible and for all of your continued support of IGNITE. All of you who read this, I mean you!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">See you at our next event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Sincerely,<br />
Chichi Okafor<br />
IGNITE Coordinator Nigeria<br />
<br />
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table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
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</style> <![endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">If you need more information about IGNITE, please visit igniteworldwide.org<span style="color: #24408f;"> </span>or call Chichi Okafor at 08033296642 </span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0