Nigeria has unveiled its National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, aiming to bridge the gender digital divide.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) presented the strategy, themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future”.
The strategy seeks to improve women and children’s access to digital technology, online safety, and economic empowerment.
Iklima Musa Salihu, representing the Director General of NITDA, presented the NGDIS, highlighting its role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls in the digital economy.
The NGDIS, aligned with Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and UN Sustainable Development Goals, focuses on expanding digital skills training, infrastructure, and mentorship for women and girls.
The strategy is built on five pillars, including expanding digital literacy, supporting female-led startups, and improving online safety.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, highlighted the urgency of addressing gender disparities in digital access, citing statistics that show 68% of Nigerian women do not own smartphones. She also raised concerns about online harassment and exclusion from the tech-driven economy.
She called for the swift implementation of the NGDIS, emphasising the need for strong legal frameworks to promote digital literacy and safe online spaces.
The strategy aims to ensure at least 40% female participation in national training initiatives and provides support for female entrepreneurs in the tech sector.
The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to work together to bridge the gender digital divide and create an inclusive digital ecosystem.
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