A Non Governmental Organization, “HerCode Technology Initiative” has held an outreach to educate young girls on the need to get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering Arts And Mathematics, STEAM to achieve gender equality.
The founder HerCode Technology Initiative Dr. Oluchi Ufomadu, said that the world is moving forward in technology and HerCode needs to move the girls forward too.
She stressed that women’s economic empowerment brings about the economic empowerment of families, society and countries.
“When women are empowered, everyone benefits. Today, technology is the way to go” With women supporting women, we can achieve a lot. There are so many women that have done it. So we all can do it”. Dr. Ufomadu said.
She noted that there is a need to have a world where women, girls and disadvantaged communities are equally represented across career roles and that in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics would help to create that world.
“We are using the guidelines of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We are here to motivate the girls to be involved in STEAM. We want to encourage them, groom them and show them way through technology. We know the world is moving forward, AI is moving forward, Technology is moving forward, we want to bring the girls and move forward with them. Encourage them”. She said.
She said that with education and technology in the world, anything is possible.
“So we want to bring the world and show them the possibilities that is out there”. She said.
She however called on the federal government to partner with HerCode in the project.
She said that Organizations would love to work with the NIgerian government in facilitating, promoting and encouraging the girl child to be involved in STEAM.
“We know that the statistics show that women and the girl child are not as involved as their counterpart. So, with the help of the federal government, we can achieve all the goals that we have. We can work together with all partnerships in and outside NIgeria to make sure that our Nigerian women and girls are fortified in the field of STEAM”. The founder said .
She said that some of the challenges facing the drive in Nigeria is access to equipments.
She said that with the support of equipments, HerCode would be able to direct the students on the right part.
The Principal of Naandiret International Academy, venue of the outreach, Mrs. Victoria Owolewa commended the foundation for the impact.
She said that the Nigerian economy has not been students/parents friendly.
She called on the government to come to the aid of schools through the provision of equipment.
The students drawn from all levels said that they were excited at the opportunities provided by HerCode.
The NGO has a mission to facilitate women, girls and disadvantaged communities safe and supportive environments to learn, grow and innovate in Technology and Health while supporting their mental and physical wellbeing.
Jide Johnson.