Date: 15th October, 2024
Venue: Zoom
Theme: Promoting Gender-Sensitive Internet: Women’s Inclusivity in the Digital
Transformation
The Women Internet Governance Forum 2024 session, organized by the Centre for Information
Technology and Development (CITAD), brought together women leaders, digital advocates, and
internet stakeholders from across the continent to discuss and promote women's roles in
internet governance. The session aimed at addressing the crucial need for a gender-sensitive
internet that fosters inclusivity and equity in digital transformation, and provide a discussion
platform, especially among women on how to develop strategies to addressing issues
reinforcing women marginalization in digital transformation, decision processes and promote a
gender-sensitive Internet we want. While the objectives of the session were to:
Discuss on how to promote a gender-sensitive internet
Provide ways that will promote women inclusivity in decision-making within the digital
space.
Outline strategies to tackle the challenges of women's exclusion from the Internet.
Propose policy recommendations to address women's underrepresentation in the
Internet decision-making.
Create campaign plan to promote a gender sensitive Internet and women inclusivity in
digital transformation.
Key discussions at this year’s focused on women’s rights, inclusivity, challenges and
opportunities for women in the digital space. The sessions were divided into three: opening
session and two technical sessions and featured distinguished and women advocates speakers
and panelists who provided in-depth insights into the theme. WIGF served as a platform for
sharing experiences, challenges, and best practices. Participants agreed on the need for
continued efforts to increase women's representation in digital decision-making roles. They
also advocated for stronger policies to protect women against digital threats and to ensure
their access to opportunities in the internet governance space.
Sessions Overview:
Opening Session:
Topic: Promoting a Gender-Sensitive Internet: Women's Inclusivity in Digital Transformation
Chair: Madam Mary Uduma, Chair, West African IGF
Keynote Speaker: Mrs. Ene Obi, immediate past Country Director, Action Aid Nigeria
In her opening remarks, Madam Mary Uduma underscored the importance of addressing
gender disparities within the digital landscape to create equitable opportunities for all. She
highlighted how the digital gender gap limits not only individual potential but also the overall
socio-economic development of the country, advocating for increased investment in digital
inclusion initiatives specifically tailored toward women. She emphasized that without
intentional policies and efforts to bridge this gap, women will continue to face barriers that
hinder their full participation in an increasingly digital economy, thereby affecting their
economic empowerment and access to opportunities.
Building on this, Mrs. Ene Obi, in her keynote address, explored several key issues that impact
women’s digital inclusivity. She pointed out that persistent socio-economic barriers, such as
poverty and lack of educational resources limit many women’s access to technology and digital
tools. Cultural norms and gender stereotypes further compound these issues, often restricting
women’s mobility and their exposure to digital platforms. Obi stressed the importance of
supportive policies to foster digital literacy among women and argued that without a
concerted, inclusive approach, many women will remain excluded from the benefits of the
digital revolution.
Mrs. Obi shared statistics underscoring the digital divide, noting that women are 16% less likely
to own mobile phones, 47% lack access to the internet, and about 20% report low confidence in
using digital tools. These figures, she pointed, reveal systemic issues that require a collective
response from government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector to
effectively bridge this divide, particularly in underserved communities where digital access is
most limited. By working together to address these challenges, stakeholders can create a more
inclusive environment that enables women to leverage digital technology for personal and
professional growth.
The keynote speaker also emphasized the potential economic benefits of women’s digital
inclusivity, highlighting the substantial impact it could have on Nigeria’s GDP. Citing projections
from the World Bank, she noted that closing the gender gap in digital access could boost
Nigeria’s GDP by approximately $3.2 billion. She continue to argue that when women are given
the resources and support to enter the digital economy, they become powerful economic
agents, with those in the digital space shown to be three times more likely to launch businesses
than their offline counterparts. This entrepreneurial activity not only drives innovation but also
creates job opportunities, contributing to a more robust and diverse economic landscape. Mrs.
Obi’s remarks reinforce the critical need for proactive strategies to promote digital inclusivity
among women, emphasizing that the benefits extend beyond individual empowerment to
national economic growth and development.
First Technical Session:
Topic: Gender-Based Violence – Way Forward
Chairperson: Aminu Naganye, Editor, WikiTimes
Panelists: Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director, ASF Nigeria and Chioma
Agwuegbo, Executive Director, TechHer NG
This session focused on the critical issue of online harassment and cyber-violence against
women, a growing concern in the digital age. The Chair opened the discussion by highlighting
that the media mirrors societal norms and structures, including the gender dynamics present in
Nigerian society. Thus, the widespread prevalence of gender-based violence online reflects
broader societal challenges, where patriarchal attitudes and systemic inequalities are
reinforced and magnified in digital spaces. According to a 2021 study by Paradigm Initiative 23%
of women who engage online have experienced abuse explicitly due to their gender,
underscoring the scale of the problem.
In further discussions, panelists elaborated on how this digital manifestation of gender-based
violence affects women’s participation online, particularly in leadership roles and public
discourse. The hostile environment discourages many women from using online platforms for
self-expression, networking, or professional advancement, fearing harassment, threats, or
cyberstalking. This issue is compounded by the fact that the lack of stringent policies and
reporting mechanisms often leaves perpetrators unaccountable, which, in turn, perpetuates a
cycle of violence and exclusion.
Mss. Chioma contributed by linking online harassment to broader economic pressures. She
argued that worsening economic conditions have contributed to an increase in online bullying
by men, who dump their frustrations onto women online, especially those in visible or
influential positions. Chioma shared that Tech Her NG, an organization committed to
supporting women in the digital space, launched a platform called CORAM in 2023. CORAM
allows women to report gender-based violence incidents and connects them with resources
and legal support. Through partnerships with the justice system, CORAM facilitates mediation
efforts aimed at reducing violence and supporting affected women. According to Chioma,
CORAM initially received fifteen cases of reported violence from March 2023 to early 2024;
however, from March 2024 to the present, the platform has been handling an average of four
cases weekly. Alarmingly, these cybercrimes have escalated from being monetary (Naira)
extortions to demands involving foreign currencies like the U.S. dollar and cryptocurrency,
indicating both an increase in sophistication and a shift in perpetrators’ tactics.
In her contribution, Mrs. Angela Uwandu spoke on the necessity of comprehensive online
protection policies, stressing that awareness alone is insufficient in addressing the systemic
nature of online gender-based violence. She advocated for robust policies that not only deter
perpetrators but also protect victims, providing them with channels for redress and justice.
Angela argued that governments, in collaboration with tech companies, have a responsibility to
implement safeguards, such as content moderation and stronger reporting mechanisms, to
foster a safer online environment. She emphasized that tech companies, by virtue of their role
in managing online spaces, must engage proactively in establishing safeguards against
harassment and supporting women’s right to participate freely in digital spaces.
This session highlighted the importance of collective action in tackling online gender-based
violence. While initiatives by various organizations offer essential support to victims, a broader,
multi-sectoral approach involving policymakers, tech industry leaders, and civil society is
necessary to combat the rising tide of online harassment.
Second Technical Session:
Topic: Promoting Internet Inclusivity: Prospects and Challenges
Chair: Ali Isah, Artificial Intelligence Fellow, Fact-Check Africa
Panelists: Harira Wakili, Africa Gender Regional Coordinator, Local Network Initiative, Alliance
for Progressive Communication, Peace Ewor, Lux Legacy Agency, and Temitope Agunde,
TechSocietal
Opening the session, Mr. Ali Isa highlighted the significant lack of access to the internet and
technology for women, particularly in Northern Nigeria. He noted that, despite efforts by civil
society organizations (CSOs) and the government to ensure women's inclusivity in the tech
space, women from rural communities, marginalized groups, and persons with disabilities
(PWDs) remain excluded. The session focused on how to address these challenges, as well as
the broader issue of gender transformation in technology. He added. Mr. Isa also referenced
the Nigerian government's 2019 initiative under the ministry for Digital Economy, which
targeted programs for women. Unfortunately, the program's outcomes were unclear, and its
impact on gender transformation in technology remains questionable, despite initiatives like
the National Digital Plan (NDP) and broadband access efforts. The chair queried.
Economic Barriers to Women’s Participation in Technology
The first speaker, Harira, discussed the challenges women face in accessing technology. She
pointed out that the lack of support for basic education, coupled with cultural norms in
Northern Nigeria, limits women's participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) courses. Additionally, the economic challenges—such as the high cost of
infrastructure, devices, and affordable internet—are significant barriers to women's
participation in the tech space. Mrs. Harira also mentioned that in rural communities, men are
often uncomfortable allowing their wives to engage with the internet due to concerns about
the negative content, especially on social media platforms. From the women’s perspective,
online bullying and harassment disproportionately affect girls, making them fearful of engaging
in social media. This fear, combined with technophobia, discourages many young women from
embracing digital tools. This lack of access also impacts their performance in exams like the
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)-which now requires computer-based testing
(CBT). Many girls use computers for the first time during these exams, leading to poor results.
Furthermore, while some secondary schools have computer labs, a lack of funding for power or
fuel renders these labs unusable, and there is often a shortage of qualified facilitators to guide
students. Mrs. Wakili proposed engaging stakeholders to update school curriculum, distribute
free computers, and offer training in rural communities to increase women’s inclusivity in the
tech space.
Primary Barriers to Women’s Inclusion in the Tech Space.
The second speaker (Peace Ewor) discussed the potential opportunities to enhance digital
inclusion and accessibility for women, particularly in rural areas. Mrs. Peace noted that while
private organizations and CSOs have made some efforts, rural girls often lack access to internet
infrastructure. Even when they do have access, the internet speed is inadequate, with many still
relying on 2G or 3G connections. She added. According to her deploying more advanced
technologies like Starlink to these areas, will reduce the current limitations that hinder
meaningful participation. The speaker also stressed the importance of equipping rural areas
with the same technological tools used in urban centers. Collaboration between government
and private organizations is crucial to enhance rural connectivity. The speaker emphasized. In
addition to infrastructure, educating girls on digital literacy is vital, especially those in rural
communities. With the prevalence of harmful online content, women must also be sensitized to
digital safety.
In her contribution, Mss. Temitope Agunde said another significant challenge face by women in
the internet is the language barrier. Many women in rural communities cannot participate in
online discussion and access the vast opportunities it offers because local languages are rarely
used on digital platforms. Implementing policies and frameworks that promote inclusivity is
essential because internet access should be viewed as a right, not a privilege. Ensuring that Wi-
Fi is available in rural areas would also enhance inclusivity. While there are digital centers in
some rural areas, many remain underutilized due to power shortages or a lack of internet
connectivity. The speaker suggested that working closely with grassroots organizations to raise
awareness about internet access is key. Engaging rural community stakeholders and training
them in advocacy would enable them to lobby for digital infrastructure and training from higher
authorities. This could lead to sustainable change in their communities, even in the absence of
donor funding. She concluded.
Contributing on addressing gender imbalance in the ICT Sector, participants hammered on the
lack of women in leadership positions in the government ICT sector. To address this,
participants emphasized the need to mentor and sensitize women about the importance of
participating in decision-making processes. They called for continuous engagement and
conversations, such as the Women Internet Governance Forum, to motivate women to take up
leadership roles and advocate for change. Another participant urged that conversations held in
such forums should not remain to these spaces. Stakeholders must take the discussions
forward through advocacy to ensure that the issues of inclusivity in the digital space are
addressed and resolved.
In conclusion, participants called on the stakeholders to:
i. Government to implement strong policies to protect freedom of speech for
underrepresented groups, including women, PWDs, and marginalized communities.
ii. Women should be involved in decision-making processes without fear of
discrimination, particularly in the ICT sector.
iii. Participants opined that continuous mentorship and advocacy will be critical to
achieving meaningful inclusion for women in the tech space.
iv. CITAD's initiative to host this event demonstrates its commitment to advancing
gender equality in the digital landscape.
v. The participants argued digital transformation provides significant opportunities for
women, especially in entrepreneurship, remote work, and access to education and
financial services.
Recommendations:
Close the Digital Divide: Governments and stakeholders should invest in infrastructure
and policies that ensure equal access to the Internet for women, particularly in rural
areas.
Internet Affordability: Government and other stakeholders should ensure affordable
Internet access is prioritized for underserved communities.
Safe Digital Spaces for Women: Collaboration among governments, civil society, and
tech companies is essential to create stronger regulations addressing online harassment
and cybercrimes targeting women.
Platforms and web applications should be built with gender sensitivity to encourage
women’s participation.
Promote Digital Literacy Programs: Education and training programs targeting women,
especially those from marginalized groups, should be expanded. These could include
initiatives like coding boot camps, digital marketing workshops, and financial technology
training.
Empower Women in Decision-Making: Government and CSOs should Support women’s
participation in the Internet governance through mentorship, leadership programs, and
decision-making roles. This could involve deliberate mentorship programs and
leadership development initiatives aimed at increasing women’s influence in policy-
making.
Support Female Entrepreneurs: Governments and private sector actors should provide
resources, funding, and mentorship for women in the digital economy. Creating
dedicated funds or grants for women-led businesses and organizations can help close
the gap.
Enhance Rural Connectivity: Governments and private organizations should collaborate
to improve the Internet infrastructure in rural areas, ensuring that technological tools
available in urban areas are also accessible in underserved regions.
Mentorship and Engagement: Women should actively mentor younger girls by
introducing them to business centers and digital technologies. Continuous forums like
the Women Internet Governance Forum can motivate more women to assume
leadership roles.
Capacity Building in Digital Rights Protection: Judiciary should be empowered to
protect women’s digital rights and address online harassment effectively.
School curriculum should be updated, and digital literacy programs, including free
computer distribution should target rural areas.
Economic Support and Affordable Access: Government and tech companies should
provide affordable Internet and infrastructure, especially for women from low-income
or marginalized backgrounds, while organizations should donate computers and offer
free digital skills training.
Policy Implementation for Digital Inclusivity: Governments must implement policies
that protect freedom of speech and ensure digital inclusivity for women, persons with
disabilities, and marginalized groups.
Advocacy: Groups and organizations should intensify advocacy and push for the
recognition of Internet access as a right, not a privilege.
Foster Digital Citizenship and Awareness: Public awareness campaigns should be
initiated to promote responsible digital behaviors, reduce online discrimination, and
promote women’s rights in digital spaces.
Language Inclusivity: To overcome language barriers, local languages should be
promoted in online spaces, allowing rural women to engage more effectively in the
digital environment.
Utilize Digital Centers Effectively: Underutilized digital centers in rural areas should be
improved with reliable power and Internet connectivity to promote women’s
participation in the digital economy. A clear example of this, is the CITAD Hello World
initiative.
