The World Came Together For International Women’s Day (IWD) On March 8 To Celebrate Women’s Achievements And Reinforce A Commitment To Women’s Equality.
The Theme For International Women’s Day Is “Digitall: Innovation And Technology For Gender Equality,” Highlighting Gender Gaps In Stem Education And Careers — And Calling Attention To The Online Harassment Many Women Face.
To This End, The Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter In Partnership With Supporting Hands Initiative (Shi) Foundation Organised 2023 Women’s Day Recently In Abuja.
FCT NAWOJ Chairperson Ann Daniel, in her welcome address stressed the need for women to be intentional about supporting each other.
In Her Speech Titled “Self Love”, Mrs Bassey Ikpang, Coordinator, Supporting Hands Initiative (SHI) Charged Women Journalists To Stop Comparing Themselves To Others. Noting That We Are Socialized To Be Competitive, So Comparing Ourselves To Others Is Natural.
According To Her, “It Can Be Dangerous. There Is No Point In Comparing Yourself To Anyone Else On The Planet Because There Is Only One You. Rather Focus On Yourself And Your Journey.
Mrs Ikpang a Development Journalist Also Use The Opportunity To Remind women That Their Value Does Not Lie In Their Body Look.
In Her Words:
“This Is Fundamental! So Many Things In The World Want To Distract You From This Powerful Truth. Sometimes Even Your Own Internalized Sexism Affirm Your Thoughts Of Inadequacy. You Are Valuable Because You Are You Not Because Of Your Body”.
Bassey who Encouraged Them Not To Worry About What Society Thinks Or Expects Of Them As They Can Not Make Everyone Happy Also Said It Will Slow Them Down On Their Journey To Being The Best Of Themselves.
Also, Emmanuel Okoi, From Cyesec Tech, Cyber Security And E-Solution, Speaking On ”Digital Innovation And Technology For Gender Equality”, Said “Digital Innovations Technology Has Offer Great Opportunities And Help Empower Women And Girls In All It Practice . The Internet, Digital Platforms, Mobile Phones, And Digital Financial Services, Also Offer “Leapfrog” Opportunities For All And Can Help Bridge The Divide By Giving Women The Possibility To Earn (Additional) Income, Increase Employment Opportunities, And Access Knowledge And General Information. This Innovative Idea (Digital Technology) Benefits Women And Their Families, Thus Enhancing The Lives And Well-Being Of People And Of Society As A Whole.”
Stressing The Significance Of Digital Skills By Women He Said, “Female Users Currently Tend To Use Fewer Services Than Men And Are Less Confident In Using The Internet. For Instance, While Mobile Money Accounts Offer An Effective Way To Boost Financial Inclusion, It Remains The Case That Fewer Women Are Likely To Own And Use Such An Account.”
“Online Or Video-Women Spend 2.6 Times More Time Than Men On Unpaid Care And Domestic Work And This Restricts The Time They Can Spend In Paid Work Or To Upskill Themselves. Actions Aimed To Raise Awareness, Challenge Gender Stereotypes And Norms, Coupled With Measures Fostering Gender-Neutral Parental Leave-Taking And Childcare Services Provision Would Help Address Norms, Attitudes And Behaviors Around Childcare And Housework Ingrained In Society, And Also Enable Greater Female Participation In (Digital) Labour Markets And Trainings Based Up Skilling And Tutorials May Especially Help Women Make Better Use Of Digital Tools And Extract More Value From Them.”