WITIN Seeks More Participation of Women in Technology Education

Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), has called for more participation of the girl child in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

President of WITIN, Mrs. Martha Omoekpen-Alade made the call last week, while marking the ‘International Girls ICT Day’ in Lagos.

The essence of the celebration, according to WITIN, is to offer opportunities for the girl child to brighten her future, as well as that of Nigeria.

The event brought together over a 100 girls from several secondary schools in Lagos State, with an exposition of the various career options available in the STEM field.

Addressing the girls, Omoekpen-Alade said a number of girls are not venturing into science and engineering because they had no idea of the options available in the fields. Over 40 different career options in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) alone were explained at the fair.

Her view corroborates with that of the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, who is also an advocate of female participation in technology related courses.

Omoekpen-Alade stressed the need to have more girls study technology related courses as there is a huge gender disparity among those studying technology related courses in schools, as well as among those working in technology companies across the country.

“Research has shown that companies with a more balanced workforce with women on board do better, as their products will satisfy the needs of consumers more. As long as users of technologies remain diverse, producers and inventors of technology must have diverse and balanced teams of males and females. This diversity can only be attained if girls begin to consider careers in STEM,” Omoekpen-Alade said. According to her, early interventions will enable girls understand that, limitless opportunities abound for them if they leverage on careers available in the field of technology.