In a bid to encourage young girls to embrace Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Oyo Tech Hub, a technological non-profit organisation based in Oyo town, has put in place an empowerment programme to train girls in skills which will prepare them for the STEM field in the future.
Speaking on the sidelines of the training held in Oyo, Technology Manager, Oyo Tech Hub, Mr Ibukun Atoro, stated that: “We are here today to continue our work which is giving back to the society the experience and knowledge we have gained from the corporate world.
“We are giving them back as a non-profit organisation which is called Oyo Tech Hub. We are giving trainings to young girls who will believe need the skills to proceed in their life and career.
“Global statistics has it that less 18 percent of girls are into STEM and less than 32 percent of them are into Artificial Intelligence. This is a highly ridiculous statistics and that is why we are joining the United Nations to ensure that there is an improvement across board starting from our community here.”
Atoro further noted that less than 33 percent of total tech sector employees worldwide are female. “The ability of women to influence technology, research, investments and policy would remain severely constrained without equal representation in these professions.
“The same barriers stand in the way of their access to lucrative jobs that are rapidly expanding. This disparity is made worse by the fact that women will be disproportionately affected by job losses as tech and digital innovation disrupts many industries.
“Girls are significantly discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM because of stereotypes about who is and is not qualified for these disciplines. These ideas perpetuate themselves, leading to a lack of support for girls in technical professions.
“Working to eliminate this gender biases, Oyo Tech Hub, working with Google and Microsoft technologies has designed bootcamp in digital skilling for girls in Oyo communities. The aim is to empower at least 3,000 girls in the next 18 months in different key areas of digital skills and prepare them for a digital future.”
Founder, Oyo Tech Hub, Mr Nurudeen Faozey Oladotun, while addressing the trainees virtually said he would be investing more time and energy on ensuring more girls are able to get the required skills in tech and sciences.
The Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, also participated in the event and made reasonable contributions with a promise to the young girls of support in their chosen career.
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