Nigeria is taking bold steps to close the gender digital divide.
At the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) unveiled the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS).
This initiative, themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,” reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to equitable access to technology, digital literacy, and online safety for women and children.
*Breaking Barriers with the NGDIS*
Presenting the strategy, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to NITDA’s Director General on Strategic Partnerships, emphasized NITDA’s role in ensuring women and girls thrive in the digital economy.
The NGDIS aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, targeting barriers to digital access, infrastructure expansion, and mentorship programs.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Salihu described NGDIS as a “game-changer” in advancing gender equality in the digital space.
“Digital transformation must be inclusive. We are committed to ensuring no woman or girl is left behind,” she stated.
*Key Pillars of the NGDIS*
The strategy focuses on five core areas to boost female participation in Nigeria’s digital landscape:
1. Digital Literacy & Skills: At least 40% female participation in national tech training programs.
2. Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship: Increased access to funding, mentorship, and technical support under the Nigeria Startup Act.
3. Online Safety & Cybersecurity: Tackling online harassment, which affects 58% of young women globally.
4. Infrastructure & Access: Addressing smartphone ownership gaps, 68% of Nigerian women lack access.
5. Policy & Advocacy: Implementing gender-responsive policies to drive sustainable inclusion.
*A Call for Urgent Action*
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, FSI, underscored the urgency.
“Women and children aren’t just being left behind, they’re being locked out of digital opportunities,” she warned.
Beyond access issues, women and children face cyber threats, digital gender-based violence, and economic exclusion.
She called for swift implementation of NGDIS 2024-2027 and stronger legal protections. “This isn’t just about inclusion, it’s about survival. If we don’t act now, the gap will only widen,” she stressed.
The Future of Women in Nigeria’s Digital Economy
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, Nigeria is ensuring women and girls are not just participants but leaders in shaping the future.
The NGDIS is more than a policy, it’s a movement, a roadmap for empowering Nigerian women, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating safe, thriving digital spaces.
The CSW69 event closed with a resounding message: Digital inclusion is not a privilege; it’s a necessity.
It’s time to bridge the gap and build a future where every woman and girl has the tools to succeed.
