By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West

Telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring that the gender disparity in the ICT career sector is bridged. This statement was made with its backing of the 2024 edition of the International Girls in ICT Day campaign being organized by eBusiness Life Communication Limited.

The event, which will hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on May 9, 2024 is part of an annual campaign initiated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to sensitise and encourage young women and girls to delve into ICT and related careers, which is seen to have been dominated by the male gender. The theme for this year is “Leadership”.

In a related development, Nigeria’s fully integrated telecommunications company, and Mobile Network Operator, Globacom Nigeria has also indicated interest in being part of this year’s campaign. The NCC and Globacom have been consistent in their support for this campaign that throws more light on the need to groom technologically-inclined girls for the future.

According to the Publisher/CEO of eBusiness Life Communication and convener of the event, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the annual event underscored the important role women were meant to play in the future of innovative technology.

While appreciating the companies and institutions that had supported the campaign over the years, Mrs. Emuophedaro called on other forward-looking organisations to join hands with eBusiness Life to sensitise young girls on the need to strategically position themselves for the careers of the future by latching in on the provisions of technology today.

She noted that the campaign was premised on the fact that the society had unconsciously relegated the female gender and delegated careers in technical fields, especially in ICT, to their male counterparts.

According to her, effort should be made to introduce young girls to career opportunities in technical fields in both the public and private sectors to help them have a wider range of options and contribute their quota in the industry and in the development of the economy.

She said: “We need to equip the girls with transferable and lifelong skills such as critical thinking, creativity and digital awareness. Having role models will also be critical, especially in the sciences and other fields where the presence of women is sparse.”

The 2024 International Girls in ICT celebration event will feature different competitions among female students from widely selected private and public secondary schools. These include STEM Quiz and Video Logging Competitions. Other features of the day will include Student’s Roundtable Discussion; interactive and motivational talk from renowned women ICT professionals, including media tech influencer, MissTechy; and general students’ quiz competition, among others. Awards and gift prizes will be given to winning schools and students of the Quiz and Tech competitions. Also Awards will be given to deserving women that have exemplified themselves in the ICT industry.

The International Girls in ICT Day is an initiative launched through ITU Resolution 70 with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communication technologies. The Union declared the 4th (fourth) Thursday in April every year as a day to highlight the annual campaign to encourage girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, and society is reminded to support them in their choice.

At the end of the event, it is expected that the young girls should be able to introspect and pursue any desired career path in ICT, technical or not, without bias, or being gender conscious.