IWS equips widows with digital skills

To create better business opportunities for widows through technological advancement, the International Women’s Society (IWS) recently held a training session for widows.

Speaking at the event, which was held with the theme, DigitAll Widows, to mark International Widows Day, President, IWS, Izabella Abia-Okon, noted that the organisation wants to make widows go digital to enable them to maximise opportunities with innovation and technology.

“This is to ensure that no one is left behind. Through this training, many of them will understand the difference between working smart and working hard. Technology makes it easier to connect to the world and you can begin to produce goods that are marketable worldwide,” she said.

Abia-Okon stressed that widows face more challenges than one could think of, hence the need to raise awareness about widows’ issues and advocate for better facilities and opportunities for them.

“It is a day to acknowledge the struggles of widows and demand better facilities for them. It also advocates for the upliftment of women and making them self-sufficient,” she added.

For the Chairperson, Widows Trust Fund, Mrs. Adebanke Adeola represented by the Trustee, IWS Nigeria, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, the theme would bring extensive opportunities to women’s businesses as a way of further breaking gender barriers and accelerating equality.

“This calls for all involved to set the stage for innovation and technology as the launch pad for the future of transformative change and sustainability,” she said.

IT specialists, Messrs Muyiwa Gam-Ikon and Victor Ogbodo conducted the training. While Gam-Ikom moderated the training sessions, Ogbodo took the participants through how technology can enhance their businesses and make them compliant with the digital age.

The IWS Widows Trust Fund was founded in 1998 by the then President, late Mrs. Ijeoma Asala. It empowers widows twice a year through its Widows New Year Feast (WINYEF) and the International Widows Day.

Over 2000 widows have been trained on how to use their phones to boost their businesses, given palliatives and endowed some with business support infrastructure.