The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) held a special event last Thursday to commemorate both 2024 World Creativity and Innovation Day and International Girls in ICT Day.
The event aimed to highlight the link between global advancements in technology and empowering women and girls to be leaders in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) field.
The day featured a workshop led by Kano-based journalist Mariya Shuaibu Suleiman and gender activist Hadiza Yusuf. Their discussion, titled “Empowering Female Leaders in the Digital Age: Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities,” explored the specific challenges faced by women in ICT and offered strategies to overcome them.
Engr. Kamalu Umaru, representing CITAD’s Executive Director, spoke at the event. He emphasized CITAD’s commitment to exposing young women to the vast career opportunities within the ICT sector.
“We celebrate the power of creativity and innovation, especially when it fuels the advancement of women in ICT,” Umaru said. “By fostering a more inclusive digital space, we unlock the full potential of our society.”
Umaru added that the event served to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ participation in ICT and advocated for a more inclusive digital future. He addressed participants from Kano communities, highlighting the crucial role ICT plays in today’s world and the abundant opportunities it offers for those pursuing careers in the field.
Suleiman and Yusuf also presented during the event. They acknowledged the accomplishments of women in tech while also recognizing the ongoing challenges they face.
“There are incredible women making waves in the tech industry, but we still face barriers,” they said. “Events like these are crucial for encouraging young girls to pursue careers in ICT and for shaping a future where women are recognized leaders in this field.”
They added that bridging the digital gender gap requires a multifaceted approach. This includes providing girls with access to ICT education and training, challenging stereotypes, and creating supportive networks for women already working in the industry.
Participants expressed their appreciation to CITAD for its ongoing support of the Girls in ICT initiative and praised the workshop for providing valuable insights into the realities of working in the ICT sector.
