By Palma Ileye
Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has stated the need to bring women, girl-child and marginalized groups into digital technologies that will result in more creative solutions and development of the country.
Tallen who led the Nigeria’s Delegation, stated this yesterday in a National Statement during the 67th Commission on the Status of Women, CSW67 at Nigeria House, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York, USA.
She noted that this year’s priority theme:“Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls,” was most fitting and very significant for all who believed in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Saying that, “It encapsulates our national aspirations in gender equality and empowerment of women.”
According to her, for the first time, the Nigerian Government has adopted a gender-perspective budget approach in its Fiscal Plans, Policies, and projects. Adding that, “This means that more than ever before women and girls issues have come to the fore in our National Development Plans; including that of those living with disabilities.”
She pointed out that this has led to significant efforts in the roll-out of joint programmes in National Budgets, ICT, Education, Agriculture, Health and Nutrition, Environment, Security Architecture, Sports, Humanitarian support, Justice system and other sectors to equip women and girls with the necessary skills and tools to effectively participate in National Development.
She said that these efforts were hinged on the 35% Affirmative Action principle in the Revised National Gender Policy 2021 to 2026.
The Women Minister said, “With the negative impacts of the COVID19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods, available statistics show that Nigeria is currently Africa’s biggest technology market in sub-Saharan Africa. Our GDP showed that ICT sector recorded the highest growth rate for all sectors of the Nigerian economy.”
“The country has also recorded more than 203 million of the continent’s internet users. This is due to several tech start-ups in agricultural, educational, healthcare, banking and finance, e-commerce, and transportation sectors utilizing digital technologies and innovation to deliver creative solutions to different problems in communities.
“My delegation recognizes that in the past decade, the use of information and communication technologies, ICT, especially of mobile communications, has increased.
“I would like to highlight that for women the world over, Information and Communication Technologies, ICT, can be leveraged for personal security, better access to education and jobs, financial inclusion or to access basic healthcare information.
“I am delighted to announce that a young Nigerian girl developed a prototype underwear using nano-technologyfor early detection of breast cancer. Another Nigerian Woman is driving the provision of access to ICT services in the country as well as 10 other countries.We have also made significant progress in GBV Data Management and prosecution using ICT real-time electronic Dashboard.
“Over the years, we have implemented several ICT training programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide with the support of our Strategic partners to enable beneficiariesto be self-reliant and contribute their quota to the growth and development of the nation,” Tallen revealed.
She further explained that it was crucial to harness the transformative power of information and communications technology for development globally saying that digital technologies have the potential to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by enabling the creation of new opportunities for education, health, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, among others.
However, she also noted that to achieve this, there was a need for appropriate policies, infrastructure, and investments to ensure that technology was accessible and affordable for all.
Given the positive impacts of innovations and technological change on women and girls, the Minister appealed to development partners to prioritize and fulfil their financial and capacity building commitments in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls so that no one was left behind in development strategies and opportunities in ICT.
“My delegation calls for transparent negotiations of the Agreed Conclusions for this session, with adequate attention placed on fundamentals of capacity building, increased official development assistance, improved STEM education, prioritization of gender financing, technical support to national efforts at providing access to women and girls on innovation and technological change as critical elements in the efforts towards empowering women and girls.
“Nigerian women stand in solidarity with the United Nations to call for peace in Nigeria and the world at large,” she added.
Furthermore, she congratulated the Bureau on the excellent organization of the affairs of this 67th Session of the CSW saying, “and we are confident that the outcome of the deliberations will equally be fruitful. Nigeria aligns itself with the statements delivered by Sierra Leone and Cuba on behalf of the African Group and Group of 77 and China, respectively.”
Also, the Deputy General Secretary of the UN, Amina Mohammed made a surprise visit to be a brief part of the Welcome Gala at the Nigeria House’ Seat of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations at 828, Second Avenue, New York.
Minister, Tallen and the UN Deputy General Secretary Mohammed Amina also urge everyone that succeeds to be at the commanding level of Women Development in Nigeria to be good ambassador of women and beloved nation, Nigeria.
It should be noted that the CSW67TH Session is Pauline Tallen’s last as the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs since the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR is winding down to end on 29th May, 2023.
