Support women, girls to embrace ICT – Mrs. Johnson

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has called on Federal, State Ministries, Departments, Local Governments, Private Sectors to support women and girls to take up career in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).

She described the theme of this year’s event, ‘Women and Girls in ICT’ as a wakeup call to all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Private Sector, civil society and other stakeholders

Speaking in her Office on Thursday, May 17, 2012 on the celebration of the 2012 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the Minister said that such support could be through scholarship schemes, special competitions in ICT amongst girls and women as well as employment opportunities to help empower them to live better lives and reduce poverty.

She also said that the demand for a range of ICT skills around the globe presents a unique window of opportunity to properly position girls and women in the industry and provide them with the tools necessary to succeed.

According to her, relevant government ministries and agencies should prioritise the implementation of policies that develop human talent and the rigid skill set for the building of a vibrant and diversified ICT sector, mostly by engaging women and girls at all levels in order to fully utilize and promote the full breadth of talent in the country.

She identified social behaviours, culture, and religious tradition as some of the challenges repelling women and young girls from pursuing careers in ICT.

Mrs. Johnson explained that women as the bedrock of society should be given all the necessary support needed to embrace careers in ICTs.

The 2012 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) celebration marks the 44th Telecommunication and 7th Information Society Day. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has adopted the theme, “Women and Girls in ICT”.

The theme, she said, is aimed at harnessing the full potential of ICTs for the benefit of women and girls by eliminating gender disparities and empowering them to meet this goals and aspirations not only from the cradle but from antenatal health care, reaching out to the remote communities, with every mother, every girl and every woman guaranteed her birth right.

Mrs. Johnson also backed ITU's recent  International Girls’ Day initiative, an initiative launched through the  (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 communications technologies.

The union declared the 26th of April every year as a day of encouragement to girls and young women to consider careers in ICT, with a reminder on society to support them in their choice of career.

Remmy Nweke
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