“Women are pivotal to socio-economic development” – NCC Boss
By Na’ankwat Dariem, Abuja
The important roles played by women in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political space have been emphasised.
The Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, ProfessorUmar Garba Danbatta underscored the need to empower women in Information and Communication Technology, ICT as an enabler for social change.
Processor Danbatta stated this while delivering a goodwill message at a webinar organised by Zinari Communications Limited with the theme: “Mainstreaming Rural Women Enterprise Development into Digital Economy Initiative: The Opportunities, Strategies and Constraints,”.
According to Him, there is no doubt that women have been historically central to socio-economic and political development of any nation,.
Increased Empowerment for Women
The NCC Boss said there was need for nations to focus more on how ICT can be leveraged for increased empowerment for women.
He said: “There has been a general concern that unless the gender divide between men and women is specifically addressed, there is a risk that ICT may worsen existing inequalities between women and men which could create new forms of inequality
“However, if the gender dimensions of ICT in terms of access and use, capacity-building opportunities, employment and potential for empowerment are explicitly identified and addressed, ICT can be a powerful catalyst for political, economic and social empowerment of women, and the promotion of gender equality,” the NCC Boss reiterated.
Increased Collaboration
Danbatta advocated increased collaboration between public and private-sector stakeholders toward advancing gender equality and women empowerment, by encouraging young women and girls to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The EVC said the Commission would continue to play a front-seat role in driving the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy document, NDEPS, 2020-2030; the Nigeria National Broadband Plan NNBP, 2020-2025 and similar policies aimed at increased connectivity to all the citizens to bridge gender digital disparity.
Danbatta said the Commission constantly provides the necessary infrastructure that would guarantee ubiquitous access to telecoms services through the implementation of these policies while listing other initiatives undertaken by the Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF, all aimed at boosting connectivity and provision of ICT tools among citizens, regardless of gender, across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
He listed the initiatives to include the Community Resource centers, CRS, School Knowledge Centers SKC, E-accessibility projects, among others.
“There is no doubt that these efforts will facilitate development of a vibrant digital ecosystem where rural women can play very important roles in our socio-economic and political space,” he added.
Confidence Okwuchi
