By Jeleel Olawale
A Professor of Food Engineering, at the Department of Food Science & Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),Prof. Kehinde Taiwo, has tasked women to equip themselves technologically in this digital world.
Taiwo gave the task during the 2023 International Women’s Day & Book Presentation at ACE OAK-PARK Main Hall, OAU on Wednesday in Ile-Ife.
The theme of the programme was:”Gender Inclusive Transformative Technology & Digital Education”.
She emphasised that women are endowed intellectually, peradventure there’s adequate provisions of necessary materials.
The Keynote Speaker noted that it was a black woman in America, Marium Cook, who developed Zoom that people are using for online meeting today.
Taiwo added that there were a lot of women who have developed technology in Nigeria too, saying that they have brain only when they see men, they are intimidated.
The technologist lamented over some women who engage in some jobs that do not require skills, such as typing which are not much needed again, for everyone is a typist now.
“Women need to work in a skill that needs robot; We have women that are competent, only that educational system did not give us the support needed.
“We called on government to make the educational system in such a way that these facilities are available, for with technological aparatus, women would perform exceptionally well,” she affirmed.
She admonished women to ensure that they make use of opportunity on ground to develop themselves so as to utilise technology in making their work easier.
The Deputy Vice-chancellor Academics, Prof Olubola Babalola, who doubles as Chairperson of the day, urged
women to come together to develop themselves by grapping any opportunity that comes their way.
Babalola, said that some women do not bother to further their education on the ground that it’s of no use, stressed that they would have themselves to blame when there’s vacancy at higher places.
“If there’s any chance of getting job or fixing up, only the qualified and competent ones would be fixed in for the post, therefore, women should develop themselves.
“Am using this medium to charge women to ensure that they emulate other women by training themselves technologically for them to be useful in this jet age” she explained.
Also, Prof Olabisi Aina, the Former Director, Centre for Gender & Social Policy Studies, OAU, said that the most important aspect is the realisation of the targeted goals which the world is envisaging.
Aina stated that both men and women have a vital role to play on the issue of gender, for they are all wonderfully and fearfully made by God, that’s why they are both unique.
According to her, education started in the third world with men than women, due to Yoruba culture which prioritises men education over women then, that’s why
men were highly educated than women then.
But today, women have triumphed. She advised those with lower level to upgrade themselves academically and technologically.
“Men and women need to close up to be more friendly, we are one specie from God. We are unique and different for different purposes.
“Humanity cannot meet their purpose without differences in men and women and it’s not a difference of inferiority or superiority, for without both we cannot meet up to fulfil the destiny of humanity”, she maintained.
The former director appealed to all and sundry to invest in men and women, boys and girls, in order for them to get to the top in the nearest future.
Earlier, the Acting Director, Centre for Gender & Social Policy Studies, OAU, Dr Olufunmilayo Banjo, appreciated all her guests for gracing the occasion, especially Mrs Oluneye Oluwole, the Founder, Story Chest Group, Canada.
Banjo charged women to be up and doing in all ramifications, especially in the area of technology, citing some market women and uneducated ones that were stranded during the cashless policy.
She charged women to take up the challenges to educate themselves, to be more learned in the digital technology of today’s world, so that they would not be left behind.
According to her, everything is now digitized, talk of bank account, touch screen phones, without which no one can be sustainable.
Oluwole introduced her book titled:”The Butterfly Effect: An Anthropology of Stories by Inspirational Women Impacting the World” .
While Prof. Morenike Ukpong reviewed the book and some panelists debated on it.
NewsDirect reports the collaboration with Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies, OAU, to mark the Women International Day.