NCS urges stakeholders to support #GirlsInICT Day to bridge digital gap
Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has urged stakeholders in the ICT industry to support the International Girls in ICT Day (#GirlsInICT), an initiative supported by all ITU Member States in ITU Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Rev. Busan, 2014), with the aim of creating global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of ICTs.
Achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls forms United Nations (UN’s) SDGoal five.International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in April every year to enable both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.
According to the Nigeria Computer Society, the #GirlsInICT day provides opportunities to promote critical issues that will assist in closing the digital gender gap.
Speaking on the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS’) expectation on International Girls in ICT Day, Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee, said that the NCS looks forward to April 27.
“Which will be a day of events, engagement, capacity building and activities geared towards encouraging and empowering girls and young women to consider tech careers,” he said.
Awe underscored that in a vital sector that is so male dominated, sustainability of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires the ideas and contribution of women in the technology sector.
According to him, NCS joins the ITU Secretary General to invite Sector Members, Associates and Academia to organize events to attracting as many girls and young women as possible. He added that Ministries of ICT, Education, Labour, Youth, National ICT Regulatory Authorities, ICT companies, academic institutions, relevant UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders are all encouraged to support the global effort and celebrate International Girls in ICT Day.
Daily Times gathered that over 240,000 girls and young women have so far taken part in more than 7,200 celebrations of International Girls in ICT Day in 160 countries worldwide.
