NiWIIT President’s Address at the 2014 Girls in ICT Day

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF NIWIIT AT THE INTERNATIONAL GIRLS IN ICT DAY 2014 AT ROCHAS FOUNDATION CONVENTION CENTRE, OWERRI – 27TH MAY 2014.

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.

Participants with NiWIIT officials at the International Girls in ICT Day 2014 in Owerri Imo State on 27th May 2014.

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.

Dr(Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu (NiWIIT) President, right) and Mrs Ronke Bello (NiWIIT) Vice-President, left) with the winners of the competition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Once again, I welcome every one that has taken out time to be a part of this special event today.

Thanks for coming and God bless you all.

Dr.(Mrs) Adeola Ilechukwu, FNCS, MCPN
National President

NIWIIT marks Girls in ICT Day

NIWIIT (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

#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.

What are your plans for the 2014 Girls in ICT Day?

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. 

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.

Girls and Women in ICT in significant numbers

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? 

Women at the Center of Development

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. 

So how will you celebrate the 2014 Girls in ICT Day? 

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. 

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. 

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw