As the world celebrates the 2023 International Day for the Girl-Child (IDGC) on Wednesday, October 11, Isimime Whyte, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of the Genius Hub, has called on stakeholders to ensure that gender barriers are reduced to allow more girls participate in the digital space.
In a statement she issued to mark the day, Isimeme Whyte listed such stakeholders to include governments, businesses, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.
Harping on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Digital Generation: Our Generation’, Whyte noted that it recognised the importance of digital literacy and skills for girls and young women and the need to ensure that they have equitable access to and participation in the digital world.
She stressed: “We need to work together to create a more inclusive and equitable digital world for all girls and young women.
“This means ensuring that they have access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity, digital devices, and quality digital skills training.
“It also means challenging the gender stereotypes that discourage girls and young women from pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Isimeme stressed that through the Young Girls Foundation, an arm of the Genius Hub, a lot of girls and young women are being empowered, thereby giving them a voice I. society, exposing them to technology, using dedicated helplines to provide them counselling in various areas that affect them.
She said: “Genius Hub is committed to playing its role in bridging the digital gender gap and empowering young women to become leaders in the digital economy.”
According to her, the organisation also focuses on developing girls’ digital skills and confidence through its various programmes and initiatives.
She called for the collaboration of the stakeholders to create a world where all girls and young women would have opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.
