Hercode Initiative, a non-governmental organisation focused on empowering women and girls through technology, has conducted a Cloud Practitioner Essentials Masterclass in Abuja to equip young women with digital skills.
The exercise is part of the activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence continue.
The founder of the initiative, Dr. Ada Oluchi Uformadu, said the training is part of a broader plan to prevent gender-based violence.
Dr Uformadu said that “the training will encourage the girls to know what’s going on in the world and give them the confidence to uplift themselves in the community to prevent violence in the community.”
She said; “We are gathered here to raise awareness and promote activism for women and girls, ensuring they are confident, empowered, and equipped to take what they have learned back to their communities, schools, and sectors. We are pleased with their participation and encourage them to continue growing and learning.”
Dr Uformadu also urged the government to provide infrastructure to bridge the technology knowledge gap for women and girls.
“We are advocating for women and girls by exposing them to technology in all types of communities. We are building solar-powered laboratories to ensure they have the infrastructure needed to fully utilize digital tools,” she said.
Dr. Uformadu noted that trainees would receive scholarships, computers, and mentorship to make a positive impact in their communities.
“And that begins with cloud computing. This free course enables the girls to earn professional certificates in cloud computing, improving their skills, economic status, and communities, which in turn contributes to national development,” she said.
The technical partner of Hercode, the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), emphasized that educating the girl child creates unlimited opportunities. The Education Advisor of ECEWS, Mrs. Catherine Osho, noted that cloud technology is shaping the future of work in Nigeria.
Some participants said the training opened their eyes to new possibilities and expressed gratitude to the organisation for the opportunity.
They were trained in areas including solutions architecture, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
Mercy Chukwudiebere