“Apart from the fact that women now fill about 40% of high skill occupations globally, their presence and participation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) related fields continue to be low” – This is part of the statement released by Chief (Mrs.) Esther Abejide to celebrate the International #GirlsInICT Day, 2024.
The International Girls In ICT Day seeks to celebrate and encourage women who are in ICT-related career, and also encourage more participation of #GirlsInICT.
Mrs. Abejide, the wife of Hon. Leke Abejide of Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives noted in her message to journalists in Abuja that the presence of women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers globally is very low, and their participations in the ICT-related part seems to be the lowest.
Congratulating and encouraging the few female gender on this career path, Mrs. Abejide asked them to take on the mantle of “LEADERSHIP”, which is the theme for the 2024 #GirlsInICT Day.
“Take up the LEADERSHIP role according to the theme, don’t be mere participants in the STEM/ICT field”.
Emphasizing on the importance of ICT, she said women cannot afford to be found at the back seat.
“It is important that women in the STEM/ICT career should encourage and recruit more of their gender to join the field and career in other to fill the leadership gender gap”, she added.
She also seized the opportunity to plead with the society and government at all levels to break the barriers that disallows the female gender from actively participating in STEM/ICT careers, and other top decision/policy making, executive and managerial roles in businesses and politics.
While she applauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration in the ongoing training of young Nigerians in the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, she appeals to the government to give room for more female gender.
Mrs. Abejide also seized the opportunity to appreciate the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for all she has been doing in representing the female gender in Nigeria. She thanked First Lady for being the mother of all mothers and also for standing in gender leadership gap in favor of all females in Nigeria and Africa.
“Few days ago, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launches alternative school for Girl Child in Osun, this is part of her enormous effort in ensuring better life for girl child and making sure women have a place to reckon with in our society”.
She also promises to lead the struggle to sponsor a group of young girls in ICT training before the end of 2024.
“With more women in the ICT career around the world, I am sure more successes would have been recorded in the industry. As a mother and role model to many female gender out there, I shall be sponsoring some young girls in ICT training before the end of 2024”.
