IWD: Abuja Chamber of Commerce tasks governments on gender equality
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has appealed to government at all levels to promote gender equality.
The President of ACCI, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chamber’s Media/Strategy Officer, Mrs Olayemi John-Mensah.
According to Abubakar, ACCI joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
Reports that March 8 was set aside by United Nations to celebrate women’s achievements, recognise challenges and focus on the right of women and gender equality.
Abubakar said that ACCI would continue to appreciate the role of women in the development of nations and economies across the world.
According to him, many women break barriers in technology to reach the pinnacle of success, and urged appropriate authorities to keep funding and supporting them in the area of technological advancement.
The support he said would spur them to greater development.
“Technology is key to advancing gender equality and when women and girls are allowed to access and use technology safely, their voices can be heard and they can also transform their future.
“It will also build them as vibrant business environment that can effectively help in contributing their quota to the national economy,” he said.
Abubakar also said that if women were given equal opportunity, they would produce greater results as it was with their natural ability.
According to him, technology holds endless possibilities and has the power to expand networks, opportunities, and minds.
“In our increasingly technological world, digital access, literacy, and skills are imperative for everything from livelihoods to education, to participation in civic life.
“Yet, technology is also increasingly misused and weaponised, with women and girls disproportionately targeted.
“The digital divide is often portrayed as a matter of women and girls’ disinclination toward tech. That is not the case.
“The exclusion of women and girls in technology is perpetuated through violence and discrimination. And it is shrinking their futures and deepening gender, economic and social inequalities,’’ he said.
The ACCI President also said that the Chamber placed priority on women, hence, celebrating them as often as possible.
“The cumulative impacts of this exclusion are enormous. An estimated 2.7 billion people are not connected to the internet and the majority of them are women and girls.
“Globally, 62 per cent of men use the internet compared to 57 per cent of women.
“But this occasion provides another opportunity to honour their efforts and achievements in the family, social work, education, sports, ICT, innovation, politics and national development among others where they leave indelible marks.
“On behalf of the Executive Councils of ACCI, I sincerely wish our women a happy International Women’s Day.
“I pray that God will continue to strengthen them to keep supporting their families, the country and expand their businesses,” he said.
