Centre decries low participation of women on Internet

CENTRE for Information and Technology Development (CITAD), has expressed concern over the low participation and access of women to information on the Internet.

The Centre’s Programme Assistant, Malama Maryam Haruna made this known at a news conference on Monday ahead of the Internet Global Forum (IGF) forum to be held on Sept. 18.

Haruna said that the centre would utilise the Internet Global Forum (IGF) for women to propose for a national Gender Digital Inclusion to bridge gender digital divide on the Internet.

She explained that the IGF was a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues on Internet governance, which inspired policymakers to exchange ideas and good practices.

“The forum is an annual event which facilitates a common understanding of how to maximise Internet opportunities thus addressing the risks and challenges that may arise.”

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Haruna said that access to the Internet was important for women to be able to gain information which might not be available to them ordinarily.

She decried the low participation of Nigerian women, especially Northern women on the Internet.

“The ratio of male to female at the global IGF is 50:50 but it is 90:10 in Nigeria, ‘’ she disclosed.

Haruna stressed the need for specific approaches to addressing the challenges related to women’s access to information on the Internet as well as knowing Internet policies of the country.

She said that CITAD aimed to promote women’s participation in the IGF to increase the number of representation of women and provide Avenue for policy formulation.

NAN reports that the centre is organising the first Women Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria to be held from Sept. 19 to Sept. 19 in Abuja.

The forum aimed at bridging gender gaps in accessing information and Internet policies, especially as it affects Nigerian women.