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

Eko-Konnect Adopt a Bot Girls in ICT programme

In 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.

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.

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. 

Eko-Konnect seeks support through sponsorship of the ICT for Girls event and Adopt a Bot
programme,

Please see Eko-Konnect Adopt a Bot’ programme


Contact:

Goodness Ugochukwu,

The Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative
Room 003 FOSS Centre,
Center for Information Technology & Systems Building,
University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba / P.O. Box 67
Tel: +234-1-3428566 | E-mail: secretariat@eko-konnect.org.ng
www.eko-konnect.org.ng

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

2013 Girls in ICT Day Nigeria

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.

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.

However, Girls in ICT Day 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.

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.

Encouraging Girls

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. 

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.

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.

Visibility on social media and reach out:

Twitter: @ITU and #GirlsinICT

Facebook: www.facebook.com/techneedsgirls

All stories are curated on Storify: http://storify.com/ITU/girls-in-ict-day-2013

We can make a Difference

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.

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.

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

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!


Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw

HAVE YOUR SAY: How will you be marking Girls in ICT Day? What should be the main focus?Please share your comments, thoughts and opinions.

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