Plan International, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called for a workable policy and enabling environment to bridge the technology and digital gaps among young girls in the country.

The Organisation’s Policy Research and Influencing Manager, Mr Tunde Aremu, said this in Abuja at the 2023 Girls in ICT Day organised by the group in collaboration with TechHer.

Aremu called on the Federal Government to create a safer and affordable spaces for young girls in the country for them to advance in the area of technology.

He said: “As part of efforts of motivating our girls to show active interest in technology, we must consciously invest in them and create policy on their safe spaces.

”Beyond investment, we must consciously step out and create safer spaces where these girls can have access to technology and make use of them.

”Government has to be deliberate in addressing the challenges, there is need for policies that will drive in closing the gaps.”

According to him, research has shown that in terms of access to digital facility between men and women, in terms of GSM technology and digital access, there is a wide margin.

Addressing the students through zoom, the Project Lead, Project Female Experts Source Guide Development, Adesola Ayo-Adereleu urged participants to take advantage of the positive opportunities in the digital space.

Ayo-Aderele advised the participants to avoid negative exposure that comes with technology, shore up their skills, and convert them to technological use,

She said that no one with knowledge of ICT and its certifications ever stayed jobless.

Sonia Dawarga, a trainer from TechHer, who put the participants through on how to navigate the technology, advised them to make god use of the opportunity to improve their lives.

The event featured students from public and private secondary schools in the FCT on ICT themed quiz competition, debate competition and mentorship/career conversations.

The participating schools are from Capville schools Kubwa, Light of day school Kubwa, Olamawu College Wuse 2, Government Girls Secondary school, Dutse and Maitama Model School.

Others are from Government Secondary School Wuse Zone 3, Government Secondary School Garki and Government Secondary School Jabi.

At the end of the ICT themed debates and quiz competitions, Capville schools came top with two students representing the school.

Light of Day Secondary School, Olamawu College, Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse and Government Secondary School, Garki recorded one student each.

The six top winners went home with different prizes, while other participants received consolation prizes.

The winners will also be part of a six-month mentorship programme on ICT by Plan International and TechHer.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria