An initiative known as Girls in Tech aimed at empowering young women between the ages of 18 and 25 years with technology skills geared towards the transformation of society has been launched in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
During the launch, the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Erom commended Lafarge Africa for initiating the programme to encourage and support young women to embrace technology.
Erom remarked that the investment in developing the girl child with requisite livelihood skills in the technology sector was in tandem with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5, which harps on equality and economic empowerment.
According to her, the content of the programme would enable the beneficiaries deliver in ways that would improve their livelihoods and those of their families as well as positively impact the society and state.
She stated, “This Girls in Tech programme is commendable and for Lafarge Africa to invest in the girl child is also in fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Gender equality is a crosscutting issue that affects all the 17 SDGs.
“This ‘Girls in Tech’ onboarding programme can be leveraged on to deliver a transformative impact in our society and state. I thank the Girls in Tech team of Lafarge, all the supporting organisations and our esteemed ambassadors,” she said.
Also, the Commissioner for Youths, Mr. Ijom Agim and his counterpart in the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology, Mr. Justin Beshel commended Lafarge for pioneering the initiative for young girls in the rural communities.
Also Read: Cross River First Lady Launches Sci-Tech Training for Girls
They noted that the skill acquisition programme, which was in line with the Cross River State government’s plan to drive a technology for young people at the grassroots, would empower the youths of Cross River State to embrace science and technology.
Inspiring young women
The Plant Manager, Lafarge Africa, Sotirios Valsamakis represented by the Human Resources Business Partner, Barong Ita said that the programme was designed to inspire young girls within the company’s host communities and by extension, bridging the gap of underrepresentation of women in technology sector.
Ita stated, “We are interested in building lasting progress by empowering members of our host communities. We also recognize the need for greater and greener diversity and inclusivity within the tech sector.
“This programme is about igniting a spark of inspiration, hope and possibilities in the hearts of these young women. It is about challenging stereotypes. The Girls in Tech seeks to harness the unique talents of these young women and introduce them to the dynamic world of technology. By providing them with essential skills and opportunities, the initiative aspires to equip them to become self-reliant as well as problem solvers,” she maintained.
She further explained that the programme would be implemented in collaboration with non-government organisations such as Aptech and Arena Multimedia (globally recognized leaders in technology incubation and opportunity) as well as the Bridge Leadership Foundation.
Some of the beneficiaries of this first phase of the skills development programme, which is expected to last for six months, expressed appreciation to the company for giving them the opportunity to embrace diversity and inclusion.
