Sustainable Development Goal 5, Target 5.6 (b) is very clear;
to enhance the use of enabling technology in particular Information Communication
Technology to promote the empowerment of women. From it I derive power to articulate on the possibility
of achieving Goal 5 target 5.6(b) by 2030, 14 years from now. But am thinking
if this target would be met with the situation at hand? Anyhow, I’ll let you be
the judge.
Technology is changing the world faster, although it is masculine
and challenging, yet is worth noticing. One
thing that is indisputable is that ICT seems snail in changing women world, as businesses
that are feminine related take back seat in ICT drives. As less girls and women
continue to miss out in ICT value chain and more men continue to into the ICT
world, the balance is clear. Clear to the extent that, how many girls are
taught how to develop computer applications, how many are computer literates,
how many are into repairs of hand phones and computers, what are we doing to
entice girls in digital career? It is superstitious to believe that ICT can promote
promiscuous in women and is just an empty excuse. Superstition
is a big gap and still a comedy, yet is a strong influencing factor that has
hold Africa men’ in captivity for so long too long no matter the background. Undoubtedly, information technology
communication vis a viz the internet has changed lives and is still changing lives, it has changed how we do
things, what we do, when and where things are done. It has made the world more modern
than time. Close boundaries and open
borders, rendered the world into small space for all. The only thing as I see
that internet is yet to do is bridging gender gaps. Gender inclusivity in technology could be
reasonable thing to do if we want a better and safer world for all.
Gender inequality remains obstacle to the achievement of
Sustainable Development Goals and Goal 5 in particular. It is unfair to know
that Men still find it difficult to comprehend the undertone of SDG Goal 5 – i.
e Gender Equality, and then tighten it in to technology. Think, what does gender
equality really mean to men? As they used to ask- “do women want equate
themselves men? Or what does United Nations mean by – gender equality? That
question needs answer and I know you can tell. But you see it has been
extremely difficult to explain this in Africa context to men folk. It has been extremely difficulty to explain
the meaning of “gender equality” to African men and is the root causes for
resistance. If I may ask, why is it difficult for women advocates to really putting
to bear what sort of equality they mean- when advocating for equality? Does
this equality mean equating selves to men? What are the qualities of these
qualities? What about the benefits now and in future, and even to the children
and families? I think if some of this is answered, mindsets and perceptions can
be shaped. You know, a lot of men pretend they know what gender and equality is,
whereas not. They only turn back within their circle and frame it as affront. Do
you know that there are so many misconceptions about gender equality in local communities?
Up to global world view? Do a little survey and you will be shocked at your
result.
The educated men though hand few are worst at it, while the
uneducated men don’t even want to hear about it. Girls are viewed as weak that need no voice. Religiously,
a gender is tail and man, the head. Africa perception widens the scope more and
relegates women to domestic. I am aware that women and girls are less
technologically savvy than men. I ask why? Why men are always trained for emerging
opportunities and given priority to access same and on virgin times? Why are
women left behind to learn about emerging opportunities later and given last
chance to accessing same? Then I realized why the world isn’t fairing better.
Imagine if internet educates a woman, isn’t it educating the world as they say?
Preparing girls and women with skills in technology can help,
especially now that every job have digital component. Whether it is fruit
selling, restaurant business etc, the knowledge of internet/technology can
help. But the real problem in Africa is, most girls and women especially those
in rural poor areas do not have access to internet, those that can access the internet
access it at very high cost; internet is slow and breaking in connection.
Internet coverage is still more urbanized; many more do not know how to use the
internet with business sense or skill. And
I am disturbed. Disturbed on what to do?
UNESCO 2013 report indicates that 65 million children
globally do not have access to education. 29 million girls are illiterate in
Africa, while 17 million girls are out of schools in Africa. It is somewhat irrational
when few men feel threatened when a women access education? I mean for instance, how traumatic when we
postulate that educated women are not marriageable and make them feel
unfulfilled in societal setup. I know though
marriage is not the end but means of society alienation. However, all these
narratives at times make our women vulnerable and less interested in becoming
whom they are.
According to World Economic Forum 2016 Gender Gap Report,
that we would not have gender equality in workplace for another 118 years,
makes me to concur with the report and see how to contribute to turning the
wheel. As girls and women empowerment continues
to be resisted by majority number of men, it makes me feel like the women led advocacy
has not really helped matters, than creating gender enmity. And as I see, men resistance
to gender equality is manifested in bullying, assaulting, bombing, kidnapping
and murdering of gender activists. It is humble opinion that, women led advocacy
should be reviewed. Advocacies of gender
should carry men along in their team work and open up dialogue with men at
local levels to international. I will recommend that the UN Women should be led
by men and let see if we wouldn’t have new result.
From Kampala to Madagascar, girls and young women are doing
their best to make impact in the international space. In Dakar, for instance
Awa Caba is building e-commerce sites; where local fruits is being sold to
citizens while improving their wellbeing. In Nigeria, Linda Ikeji of www.lindaikejisblog.com is using
writing skills to write news stories on her blog and ranking with high income
everyday amongst others. Therefore, women whom are best entrepreneurs all over
the world should be trained on how to use the internet in expanding their social
network, businesses, making new friends and contacts. And when this is done,
the benefit will rob us all.
Please read and share freely. Thank you.
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