9

Plan International Nigeria, an NGO, has advocated for an expansion of digital skills for girls across board.

The Acting Team Head, People and Culture, Plan International Nigeria, Deborah Yakfa, said this in Abuja on Wednesday, at the 2024 commemoration of the Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day.

Yakfa said there was need to expand the potential of girls in ICT, noting that girls in selected schools across the country had been educated on the importance of digital skills.

She added that the girls and their male counterparts were also informed on their right to study any subject or course, irrespective of societal norms and biases.

According to her, digital skills are crucial now, but girls and women are missing out due to unequal access and bias.

She said this limited their opportunities and reinforces existing gender gaps, hence the need to ensure everyone benefitted from technology.

“We feel there is need to push girls to ensure that they are as much as possible represented in the ICT .

“Like we know, tech is the key thing that is where the world is moving to and it is important for us to have women as representative in ICT.

“We must promote the right of women and also give them a voice to hear more about women and how important they are,” she said.

Some of the students, who spoke with NAN, urged government at all levels to ensure a safer environment thrives in ICT.

Highlights of the event include debate, quiz competitions, and mentorship/career conversations.

Participating schools are Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Dutse; Olamawu Academy; Army Day Secondary School; Government Secondary School (GSS), Mabushi; GSS Gwarinpa Estate, among others.

The winners are to be engaged in a six-month free Tech Mentorship Programme. (NAN)