A non-governmental organisation, HerCode Technology Initiative, has called on the Federal Government to implement targeted policies that will improve girl-child participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

The organisation stated that this would form part of its efforts to bridge the gender inequality in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

Speaking during an outreach programme to educate young girls on the importance of getting involved in STEAM, held at Naandiret International Academy, Abuja, the founder of the organisation, Dr. Oluchi Ufomadu, stated that there is an urgent need for institutional support to increase access to technology education among girls, particularly those from underserved communities.

Ufomadu stressed that global advancements in Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation require inclusive participation, stating that Nigeria risks leaving behind half of its population if deliberate steps are not taken to integrate women and girls into the technology space.

She decried the low statistics of female representation in STEAM careers and attributed it partly to a lack of access to equipment and structured mentoring programmes.

She said, “When women are empowered, everyone benefits. Today, technology is the way to go. With women supporting women, we can achieve a lot. There are so many women who have done it. So we all can do it.

“We are using the guidelines of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We are here to motivate the girls to be involved in STEAM. We want to encourage them, groom them and show them the way through technology. We know the world is moving forward, AI is moving forward, Technology is moving forward, we want to bring the girls and move forward with them.”

Noting that with education and technology in the world, anything is possible, Ufomadu called on the federal government to partner with HerCode in the project.
She said that organisations would love to work with the Nigerian government in facilitating, promoting and encouraging the girl child to be involved in STEAM.

“We know that the statistics show that women and the girl child are not as involved as their counterparts. With the help of the federal government, we can achieve all the goals that we have. We can work together with all partnerships in and outside Nigeria to make sure that our Nigerian women and girls are fortified in the field of STEAM,” she added.

Principal of Naandiret International Academy, venue of the outreach, Victoria Owolewa, commended the foundation for the impact.

She said that the Nigerian economy has not been student and parent-friendly, while calling on the government to come to the aid of schools through the provision of equipment.

The students drawn from all levels said that they were excited about the opportunities provided by HerCode