Stakeholders in Nigeria have been called to raise awareness about the digital gender divide and advocate for policies and laws that will enable women and girls have free access to quality and accurate information in their Sexual and Reproductive health and Rights.
Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation made the call in a press statement issued and signed by its Country Director, Lucky Palmer which was made available to Journalists yesterday to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
It observed that Nigeria will be able to achieve the goal 5 target 5 of the sustainable Development Goals if it addressed the identified challenges.
“There is a great need to remove the digital gender divide, mainly impacting vulnerable women and girls, including women with disabilities and those in rural and remote areas with low education and socioeconomic status, who do not have access to internet devices.
In doing these, the statement stated, will ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable women and girls also benefit equitably from digital and technological innovations for their improved Sexual Reproductive Health and well-being.
The foundation noted that through several of its projects implemented in Nigeria, have provided access to digital information to women and girls, thereby contributing to ensuring preventable maternal deaths are averted.
It stated that this year’s theme: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” aligned with the National theme and the Priority theme in the ongoing 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
“Innovation and technological change, as well as education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”- which Ipas is actively participating.
According to Ipas, the theme highlighted the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health needs which the Sexual Reproductive Health needs of women and Girls in Nigeria.
“Undoubtedly, information and Communication Technology has to some extent, provided access to information for women and girls in Nigeria, on their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights as enshrined in most international and regional legal frameworks Nigeria is signatory,” ipas declared.
