The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) on Wednesday urged innovation and technology for gender equality as it salutes Nigerian women for their resilience in contributing to Nigeria’s progress despite double exploitation, discrimination, and segregation.

Executive Director of CISLAC Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said yesterday in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, that Nigerian women are still making positive contribution towards Socio-Economic and political development in Nigeria in the face of hardships.

He blamed the continuous gender gap on digital accessibility, saying this keeps women from realizing technology’s full potential.

“This is largely due to underrepresentation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers which form a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance which is not unconnected to sextortion in institutions of learning and workplaces. The dominant threat of online gender-based violence coupled with a lack of legal recourse too often forces them out of the digital spaces they do occupy.

“Amidst all odds, digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls, and other marginalized groups. Nigeria, however, is not utilizing the opportunities that these innovations provide. From gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality”, he said.

He said it was regrettable that the National Assembly constitutional amendment for which Nigerians canvassed for gender mainstreaming to minimize discrimination of women, and denial in political participation of women to foster social integration, issues of indigeneity are all thrown away by the 9th assembly.

“Despite the popular support canvassed during the public hearing, the Ahmed Lawal led National Assembly leadership deprived this opportunity for women to be mainstreamed into socio-economic and political development in Nigeria”, Rafsanjani stated.

Furthermore, he said, “the outcome of the recently concluded National Assembly elections which was meant to utilize technological innovation, across the country was a huge setback to the country’s push towards the achievement of the affirmative action.

“Out of the Seven female serving Senators in the 9th assembly, the result announced by INEC so far indicates that none of the female senators will be returning, and only 3 new female senators have been announced so far.

“CISLAC notes with serious concerns the situation across some states where women were targeted in electoral conflict, physical and virtual intimidation, as well as harassment in the cause of discharging their civic duties.

“This is despite the support they provide to political parties and governance in Nigeria.

CISLAC celebrates Mrs. Jennifer Sheifagha who despite being attacked and injured by thugs in Lagos, went back to cast her ballot after receiving treatment. CISLAC considers her action heroic, and condemn in the strongest term, acts of thuggery, and demand that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be brought to justice.

“From the earliest days of computing to the present age of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributions to the digital world in which we live. Women’s accomplishments have been against all odds, in a field that has historically neither welcomed nor appreciated them.

“Unfortunately, Women make up only 22 per cent of Artificial Intelligence workers globally. A global analysis of 133 Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems across industries found that 44.2 per cent demonstrate gender bias.

“In Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data shows that women on the average make up only 22 per cent of the total number of engineering and Technology University graduates on yearly basis, even though the IT industry often talks about inclusion and diversity, much more work needs be done with respect to technological innovation for gender equality in Nigeria.

“Nigeria, however, is not utilizing the opportunities that these innovations provide. From gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality.

CISLAC is by this opportunity of this year’s commemoration of women day and working together with other global partners at the Ongoing United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) 67th session that is happening in new York and is calling on governments, corporate entities and to double their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and equitable. Facing a multiplicity of global crises, we have a chance to create a better future, not just for women and girls, but for all humanity on Earth”.

CISLAC therefore makes the following demands towards achieving gender equality in the country:

CISLAC is urging that the 10th NASS reintroduce and pass all the gender bills that were rejected by the 9th Assembly.

CISLAC is urging government at all levels to adopt collective solutions to improve sexual and reproductive health rights and pursue the achievement of the 95% digital literacy in Nigeria.

We urge the government to prioritize nutrition education, workforce nutrition, food fortification and sensitization campaign towards the reduction in the consumption of salt in the country.

We are urging government at all levels to implement strategies that has the potential of reducing financial hardships caused by climate shocks with its attendant likelihood of school dropouts of girls, resulting in child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and sexual trafficking of girls and women.

We demand the government to fully implement the Safe School Initiative to guarantee the safety of school children, especially for girl children.

We Demand relevant authorities to provide the enabling platforms for reporting cases of all forms of sextortion and prosecute reported cases.

We demand that the state governments adopt and implement the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015.

We demand that the dysfunctional and poor access to health care for women which leads to maternal mortality and malnutrition be remedied.

On this note, we ride on the opportunity of the International Women’s Day 2023 and in alliance with the theme of this year’s celebration, to call for equal opportunities for digital literacy for Nigerian women.

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