As we celebrate International Women's Day in 2023, the theme "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality" highlights the power of technology to promote gender equality and empower women in Nigeria.
Digital technology has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, providing new opportunities for women to connect with one another, access information, and participate in the economy. From e-commerce platforms to social media networks, women in Nigeria are leveraging technology to create new businesses, build networks, and amplify their voices.
However, while digital technology has the potential to promote gender equality, it can also reinforce existing gender biases and inequalities. Women in Nigeria still face barriers to accessing technology, including limited internet connectivity and lack of access to digital devices. Additionally, gender-based violence and harassment online are pervasive, making it difficult for women to participate fully in digital spaces.
To fully harness the potential of technology for gender equality, we must choose to challenge the gender biases and stereotypes that hold us back. We must advocate for policies and programs that promote digital literacy and access for all women in Nigeria, including those in rural and marginalized communities. We must work to create safe and inclusive digital spaces that promote women's voices and protect them from online harassment and violence.
As women in Nigeria, the best time to be alive is now, as we have the power of technology at our fingertips. We can connect with one another and build networks that span geographic and cultural boundaries. We can access information and resources that were previously unavailable to us. And we can use digital technology to create new opportunities for ourselves and for other women.
On this International Women's Day, let us celebrate the power of technology to promote gender equality and empower women in Nigeria. Let us choose to challenge the gender biases and inequalities that still exist in digital spaces, and work together to create a more inclusive and just society for all women. The best time to be alive as a woman in Nigeria is now, and we must seize this moment to create the future we want for ourselves and our daughters