Nigeria Takes Bold Steps To Bridge The Gender Digital Divide At The United Nations Csw69

In a resounding commitment to bridging gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs FMWA, has taken a decisive step toward closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy NGDIS at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women CSW69. Themed Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future, the high-level event reinforced Nigerias commitment to fostering equitable access to digital technology, online safety, and economic empowerment for women and children.

Speaking at the event, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to the Director General on Strategic Partnerships, presented the strategy, emphasizing NITDAs role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in the digital economy.

The NGDIS, developed in alignment with Nigerias Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 5 and 8, seeks to remove barriers to digital inclusion by expanding access to digital skills training, infrastructure, and mentorship opportunities for women and girls. The Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE as represented by the SA, in his special remarks reaffirmed the Agencys commitment to ensuring that Nigerias digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, highlighting NGDIS as a game-changer in achieving gender parity in the digital space. He noted that the framework prioritizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, safety, and gender-responsive policies to accelerate womens participation in Nigerias growing digital economy.

The NGDIS is built on five core pillars that will drive womens access, participation, and leadership in the digital ecosystem. It seeks to expand digital literacy and skills by ensuring at least 40 female participation in all national training initiatives. Recognizing the role of women in Nigerias innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, the strategy emphasizes access to funding, mentorship, and technical assistance for female-led startups, leveraging the Nigeria Startup Act to increase financial and institutional support for women in the tech ecosystem. With 58 of young women globally experiencing online harassment, the NGDIS prioritizes online safety and cybersecurity awareness.