Happy Women's Day 2013

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)?

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Women in ICT Blog urges you to make everyday Women’s Day!

Empower Women, Create the Future Breaks New Ground

Jidaw Systems (Jidaw) celebrated 100 years of International Women’s Day in 2011 through a special session on the Advancement and Empowerment of Women through ICTs during its March 2011 FREE IT Career Seminar. Empower Women, Create the Future

The Empower Women, Create the Future Session proved to be revealing and exciting at Jidaw's FREE IT Career Seminar on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Miss Nosa Onaiwu of Jidaw Systems delivered the lead presentation during the session. The presentation celebrated Women in general for their contribution to humanity while acknowledging that a sustainable world is dependent on the empowerment of women.

Nosa Onaiwu delivering her presentation

Advancement and Empowerment of women with ICTs

Jidaw Systems has chosen to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a tool, a weapon of positive change. And Jidaw also pursues this agenda in the area of empowermenmt of women. As a force for change, Jidaw promotes and supports efforts that will lead to the advancement and empowerment of women with ICTs. On the 100th anniversary of Women's Day, the seminar provided an opportunity to spread awareness on this important issues of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The advancement and empowerment of women with ICTs was therefore the focus of the presentation delivered by Nosa Onaiwu. The presentation celebrated Women who had achieved in the IT world - their names and achievements were mentioned - Mrs Florence Seriki (Founder, Omatek Computers), Professor Nike Osofisan (Former President, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)), Mrs Jibike Itegboje (Forner Director MIS, Yaba Collebge of Technology), Mrs Ibukun Odusote (Permanent Secretary, Fderal Government of Nigeria) and many others.

All male participants at the seminar Standing up for Women as a mark of respect for women to honour the efforts and contributions of women

Also celebrated were female Jidaw Alumni, students who had made significant impact in ICT: Fadele Ifeoluwa Oluwatobiloba Winner of the 2010 IT Professionalism Award, Ruth Anok , Mrs Funmilola Omojola and Ajayi Dolapo Anuoluwa made the perfect score of 1,000 in the globally recognized CCNA exams.

There is still work to be done

While we appreciate the achievement of these amazons, a lot still needs to be done as a significant number of women are not using ICT to empower themselves. And fewer women are working in the high value areas of ICT because ICT has been given the mistaken identity of a "male" profession. The presentation ended with a call for specific measures to be taken to promote and encourage the advancement and empowerment of women with ICTs. Participants were advised to spread the word and do what they can in their own lives and careers to drive this positive change in society - because "Everyday is Women's Day".

Women in ICT who attended the Free IT Career Seminar

 more information is provided on this link:

Women in ICT Content and Resources

Celebrating Women's Day in 2011

Jidaw Systems will be marking Women's day in 2011 by including a special session on the advancement and empowerment of women through ICTs in its upcoming FREE IT Career Seminar.

Fadele Ifeoluwa Winner of 2010 IT Professionalism Award representing Women in ICT

The FREE IT Career Seminar on March 12, 2011 will be marking 100 years of International Women’s Day in 2011 through a special session on the Advancement and Empowerment of Women through ICTs -Empower Women, Create the Future

More Power to Women!!!