The current information communication technology (ICT) policies in the country are not tailored to promote women-inclusivity in the technology space, thereby disenfranchising them, experts have said.
They said the lack of policy consideration for women in un-served and underserved parts of the country has worsened the plight of women in participating and taking advantage of technology to boost their
The experts, including Founder/Executive Director of Techsocietal, Tope Ogundipe, Lawyer and Technology Policy Consultant, Adeboro Odunlami, Regional Gender Coordinator- Africa (Local Network Initiative), Harira Abdulrahman Wakili, Community Development Specialist at Fantsuam Foundation, Kafanchan, Theresa Aishatu Tafida and ICT Policy and Community Network Ambassador, Dr. Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo, spoke at a workshop organized by Techsocietal, in collaboration with Association of Progressive Communications (APC) Nigeria, in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop was: “Empowering Women in Connectivity: Building Capacity for Gender-Sensitive ICT Policies.”
Other participants were Executive Director of the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), Okoro Onyekachi Emmanuel, and Deputy Country Director & Director of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo.
Ogundipe, in her welcome address, said the forum was organized to identify gaps in Nigeria’s ICT policies and formulate implementation plans to ensure that women, especially those in underserved and underrepresented communities, have access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet.
The workshop was divided into sessions with session one focusing on Gender-Sensitive ICT Policy in Nigeria was led by Odunlami, who initiated an in-depth discussion on Gender-Sensitive ICT Policy in Nigeria. Using a strategic questioning approach, she familiarized participants with the National Broadband Policy and Community Networks, laying the foundation for a smooth progression of activities. She elaborated on ICT Policies in Nigeria, dissecting the existing frameworks and laws that govern connectivity.
She lamented that due to inadequate consideration of women’s accessibility, affordability, and knowledge gap, they remain disproportionately excluded from stable connectivity.
Participants were subsequently divided into four groups, each tasked with analyzing key aspects of Nigeria’s Broadband Plan that directly influence women’s connectivity via Leadership Representation; Connectivity Models; Access and Affordability; and Online Safety and Digital Rights.
From group conversations, gaps were discovered in the policy. They include underrepresentation of women in ICT decision-making roles; limited availability of Community Networks; affordability barriers preventing women in rural areas from accessing stable internet; and online safety concerns, including hacking and data privacy threats.
Session two was a panel discussion on Women in Community Networks: Where Are We Now?
Next came a panel discussion, moderated by Community of Practice Manager at TechSocietal, Olanike Osho who directed thought-provoking questions to the panelists, resulting in a session rich with intellectual depth. Panelists provided expert opinions, engaged with real-time data, and examined critical constraints and biases that hinder women’s involvement in Community Networks.
During the panel discussion, Wakili introduced the concept of Community Networks, emphasizing their significance in rural communities where stable internet access remains scarce. She pointed out sociocultural constraints that hinder women’s participation in community discussions and decision-making processes regarding network availability and utilization. Additionally, she addressed the digital gender divide, noting the prevalent fear and hesitation many women and girls experience when accessing communication networks.
Tafida highlighted the digital literacy gap, particularly among rural girls. She explained how this deficiency affects their preparedness for exams like JAMB, which require basic computer skills and internet usage. Theresa further underscored language barriers as a significant obstacle, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where many lack the technical know-how to operate telecommunication devices. She also stressed the need for greater representation of women in decision-making processes related to ICT.
Akinbo elaborated on the indispensable role of women in shaping society. He emphasized that excluding women from digital access directly hampers societal progress. He spoke on the dynamics of women’s participation in economic and social development, stressing that unrestricted internet access for women would have a transformative impact on communities.
Okoro addressed the biases and stereotypes that hinder women’s use of community networks. He noted the widespread misconception that women primarily use the internet for entertainment rather than professional endeavors. This perception, he argued, contributes to the barriers limiting women’s equal access to digital resources. He further called for policy reforms to ensure equal participation and access to community networks.
Dankabo championed digital literacy and skill-building initiatives for women and girls. She emphasized the necessity of equipping them with digital competencies, particularly for educational purposes, including standardized examinations like JAMB.
Wakili rounded off the discussion with real-world solutions, sharing the success of a Community Network initiative in Northern Nigeria and a collaboration with Bayero University to translate educational materials into indigenous languages. She also recommended funding programs for Community Networks, community and women-based cooperation; public-private partnerships; and peer-learning networks.
Another session on The Role-Playing Policy Negotiation, the energy in the room skyrocketed as participants transitioned into a high-stakes role-playing exercise, facilitated by Ogundipe. Key individuals from different organizations stepped into the shoes of policymakers, telecom executives, and civil society advocates.
This session simulated policy negotiations, where each group had to advocate for their interests while balancing corporate priorities, government regulations, and societal needs.
“There will be no Financial Inclusion for women without digital inclusion,” Khadija El-Usman, Civic Society Advocate said while a government policy representative said: “The government should provide tax incentives for telecom companies that ensure stable internet access for at least 65per cent of women in underserved areas.”
“Partnering with Community Networks allows telecom companies to reach untapped markets while closing the digital divide,” said a telecom executive representative.
Drafting Gender-Sensitive Policies, a session facilitated by Jessica Eni Nkemdilim, Legal/Policy Associate at Techsocietal, challenged participants to identify a key ICT policy issue affecting women; propose solutions and implementation strategies; and define key stakeholders and expected outcomes.
With the policy drafting complete, Program Manager at TechSocietal Gabreal Odunsi, urged participants not just to draft policies but to actively push for their implementation.
Participants were subsequently assigned to working groups to ensure post-event follow-up and advocacy. The groups include Policy Advocacy Group – Engages in lobbying and public awareness campaigns; Research & Data Collection Group – Gathers data to support policy development; and Community-Based Training Group – Leads grassroots ICT education initiatives.
Each group established communication channels, exchanged contacts, and designated group leads for continuous engagement.
