The online interactive session powered by Amaka Nweke Foundation and hosted by the Founding President, Amb. Mrs. Amaka Nweke JP who emphasized on the unknown large gap in women and girls’ digital adoption and use compared to men and boys in Africa with limited sex-disaggregated data and research into adolescent girls’ access to and use of digital technology, having limited understanding of their digital realities and how best to close the gender gap, was rated one of the best in recent time.
Mrs Nweke called on UNICEF and other global institutions to embark on mentorship that could technologically empower women and young persons in Sub-Saharan Africa, close the gender digital divide for girls, support and build the evidence needed to effectively design approaches that ensure the benefits of equal digital access and use for both African girls and boys, citing disruptive innovation as technology that is capable of disrupting an already established market by following a set of patterns, an innovation that is originally focused on a niche and with the passing of time achieves a good overtaking the previous one which young persons are mostly caught in it's right pace in the 21st century.
Speaking from India, Kamlesh Jain stated that wome are an ever-growing part of the tech landscape, but inequality in pay and opportunities persists and women's advancement continues to shrink. While itemising the spoken and unspoken barriers that make it difficult to advance in system, she cited science, technology, engineering and mathematics opportunities begin with school and college disparities.
For Jain, women turn away from Technology career for following reasons; nearly 30% of the women leave their tech career because of family issues, 27% leave because of children caregiving reasons, while 11% to 15% do leave their Tech jobs because of their working conditions travel time, lack of advancement, low salary, boss and demotivating environment. Women make up only 28% of the workforce in (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most (STEM) fields in college. The gender gap are particularly high in some of the fast-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future like computer science and engineering.
In her speech marking the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2023, Amb Mrs Amaka Nweke JP stated thus;
"I wish to welcome us to this Google Meet on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2023 organised by the Amaka Nweke Foundation, Nigeria. Amaka Nweke Foundation Nigeria is a women-led girls and women advocacy foundation that oversees the welfare of women, children, youths and the disabled. Some of our activities include education, gender based issues, water, sanitation, and hygiene, empowerment programs as well as health issues"
"The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on February 28, 1909. The United Nations
says it was designated by the Socialist Party of America to honor women in the garment
industry who went on strike in New York to protest working conditions"
"In 1910, attendees at the second International Conference of Working Women, a gathering
of women from activist and political organizations in Copenhagen, Denmark approved the idea of an
international day for women. Several European countries observed the day the next year on the 19th March. The earliest events around International Women’s Day included rallies for the right
to vote and against gender discrimination, as well as women’s anti-war protests and strikes
in Russia"
"International Women’s Day is also a reminder of the long road ahead. It is also a time to celebrate women and their achievements. U.N Secretary-General António Guterres warned that women’s rights were being “abused, threatened and violated” around the world and gender equality won’t be achieved for 300
years without urgent action"
"This year, 2023, it is celebrated on March 8. The UN theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”
"According to a 2021 report by the Association of Mobile Operators, inadequate infrastructure, lack of digital skills for the internet and ICTs, and gender-related barriers around access to and control over resources are the main obstacles to “meaningful connectivity” for women and girls.
We can address this challenge by:
1. Creating awareness about the digital gender divide.
2. Advocating for policies and legal frameworks to keep women and girls safe.
3. Promoting women’s participation in science, technology, and ICTs".
"By doing these, we will ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable women and girls also benefit equitably from digital and technological innovations for their improved health and well-being"
"In all, we want to see a society where fairness, justice, inclusion, equity and sustainable development is guaranteed. I urge women and girls across the globe especially Nigeria to embrace Innovation and Technology and above all the fear of God is paramount"
"Today, we have a team of distinguished speakers from diverse space and time and a seasoned anchor for our Google Meet. The team comprise of;
Kamlesh Jain, Social Entrepreneur, India, will speak on Stronger Together in INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Dr Peter Mba, CEO, Pinnacle Oil
will speak on DigitALL: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY FOR GENDER EQUALITY
It aims to emphasise the importance of technology in bringing gender issues to light and Onyinye Nweze , Janefrances, Journalist"
"I have the confidence of their justice to the occasion and encourage us to pay attention, take notes and put down whatever questions, contributions and comments we have for the appropriate time"
Once again, I welcome you all.
Thank you
Ambassador Mrs Amaka Nweke, JP
Founding President,
Amaka Nweke Foundation, Nigeria" she concluded.
Technology and Innovation Mentorship For Women and Young Persons in Africa with focus on areas such as;
1) Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning;
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the combination of algorithms that are programmed so that a machine carries out actions that until now were carried out by humans, such as learning from data analysis or planning. Machine Learning is a discipline within the AI field that allows computers to learn for themselves and carry out tasks autonomously.
2) 3D Printing;
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process in which a digital file is used to create a three-dimensional solid object. In the 3D printing process, sequential layers of material are laid down by the '3D printer' until object creation is completed
3) Cybersecurity;
Cybersecurity or technology security is the set of processes and tools that are implemented to save information that any device, program, or company generates. With the use of network systems, software, and applications, the execution of security protocols is necessary to protect confidential, private, or sensitive information.
4) Hyper-personalization;
Hyper-personalization can create a unique and exclusive service or product for each customer. Using Artificial Intelligence, and real-time data, companies can create super-personalized strategies and improve user experience. This type of innovation has broad applications in the marketing and communication world.
5) Computational chemistry;
Computational chemistry uses methods and programs to solve specific chemistry problems, saving time and resources. Instead of carrying out multiple experiments at the laboratory, appropriate parameters are entered into the computer to predict what formula would be the most optimal. Furthermore, this disruptive technology is also useful for understanding the reactions that occur in flasks in the field of experimental chemistry.
6) Smart Cities;
Smart cities are those cities that apply Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve its infrastructure, mobility, and public services. The aim of Smart Cities is to place people at the center of ecodesign and sustainable development, creating a value network and improving the quality of life of citizens.
7) Quantum computing;
Quantum computing contributes to solving complex problems and creating effective algorithms in little time. This paradigm allows information to be processed at very high levels with multiple applications. For example, in the area of health, it could contribute to creating new personalized pharmaceuticals. And in the finance sector, it could accurately anticipate changes in the market.
8) Nanotechnology;
Nanotechnology is the study and manipulation of matter in very small sizes (between one and one hundred nanometers). This disruptive technology will allow stronger, lighter, and tougher materials to be generated than those currently used. Graphene is a good example of this revolutionary innovation with applications in areas such as energy, personal care products, food and pharmaceutical product packaging, and much more.
9) Big Data;
Big Data collects and manages large volumes of data that are then analyzed and applied to a specific area. We can say that it is a smart analysis tool to make more profitable and efficient decisions. This disruptive technology represents a great competitive advantage for companies because it reduces costs, saves time, decreases margin for error in processes, and improves the quality of the final product.
10) Blockchain;
Blockchain technology is applied in a digitalized workflow to create shared, transparent, and more secure processes. It works like a chain of blocks in which all nodes are connected to each other, so it guarantees the traceability of any process, creating a unique registration network that reduces risks and costs.
11) Fingerprints;
Digital fingerprinting is a security system that verifies the identity of a person using an electronic device with the aim of defending copyright. To control the unauthorized copy of content, a series of bits are introduced into a medium (for example, a DVD, Blu-ray, or pen drive) that detects unauthorized copies.
12) Chatbots and smart assistants;
Almost everyone has had some experience with chatbots or virtual assistants, technologies that offer 24/7 customer service. However, there are differences between them. Chatbots are software that maintain a conversation with a person automatically and autonomously. While a smart assistant carries out a series of questions to find out the user’s likes and interacts in a more natural way, simulating a real conversation, as if it were with a real person.
13) 5G technology;
What does incorporating 5G technology imply? In the last year a lot has been spoken about this topic, as it will mean a change in the telecommunications sector. 5G will definitively introduce the Internet of Things (IoT) into our daily lives. This disruptive technology will make it possible for all devices to be connected and share information at high speed.
14) Cloud services;
Cloud services, also known as cloud computing, allow files to be saved on the internet without needing external storage equipment. This disruptive technology represents great advantages for companies because it allows users to enjoy management tools from any place in the world by just connecting from their device.
2) Advanced Virtual Reality;
When we speak about Advanced Virtual Reality, we associate this concept with entertainment. However, this technology represents an authentic revolution in many other areas. For example, at Repsol we are working with the Digital Twins technique to model our plants. This allows us to create a virtual simulation model to be more flexible and agile in the face of possible changing circumstances.
The leadership of Amaka Nweke Foundation has continued to reach out to public and private institutions on the welfare of Women and Young Persons in Africa.
Founder
Amaka Nweke Foundation
