To enhance social media awareness and digital skills for children, particularly the girls-child, stakeholders gathered over the weekend in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They conducted sessions on social media issues for girls from various communities within the FCT.
The event, titled Girls Together Summit Abuja, focused on ‘Challenges and Opportunities of the Girl Child in a Digital Age.’
It was organized by the Helpline Social Support Initiative in collaboration with the Office of the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat, and the Hasam Foundation. The participants engaged in discussions on developing digital skills and avoiding the pitfalls of social media.
In her keynote address, Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Women Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the summit as more than just advocacy; she called it a real intervention that promotes practical digital education for the girl child.
She emphasized the importance of digital skills for girls, asserting that it leve
ls the playing field and supports their educational and creative development.
‘It is a leveler for any girl child digitally and globally to able to access as well as articulate her unique collar drums through digital education, intervention, and investment of the political will of an administration in every ramification of her creative expression and identity.
‘This is what the FCT administrative model that the Women Affairs Secretary has designed and defined for the girl child at this time.
Benjamins-Laniyi highlighted the priority of building digital capacity, ensuring that no girl child is left behind, regardless of her background.
She mentioned that digital skills are crucial for closing gaps and creating equal opportunities for both girls and boys. She also noted various initiatives, such as ICT programs and scholarships, aimed at fostering an inclusive environment.
‘The cardinal message is that building digital capacity is a priority, and we are leaving no girl child behind. Whether she is from a p
lace of advantage or disadvantage somewhere from across the 784 communities or geographical reference within the FCT.
‘Digital skills set are in critical priority as they close the gap, and we are particular about setting accelerators through the different digital stimuli that the ICT programmes, scholarship programmes, and working through the schools; all of these different interventions are to create a very agile environment for equal opportunity for both the girl child and the boy child.’
Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, President of the Helpline Social Support Initiative, expressed concern about girls’ addiction to social media, which affects their reading habits and household responsibilities. She explained that the summit aimed to provide girls with guidance from experienced women and help them navigate the digital space responsibly.
‘We know what social media is used for these days, we have people using our girls for child pornography and so many other ill vices.
‘So, this summit is aimed at ensuring that these g
irls are prepared, empowered, and adequately equipped to be able to know what they need to do and what they should look out for whenever they are in the social media spaces. This is because, they learn online, and we have classes online for them to go and learn.
‘So, when they are there (social media) they are supposed to know what they are to do, and at the same time, those who are into entrepreneurship will be able to know what to do, to advance their businesses online’, Ahmadu stated.
Hajya Hauwa Ibrahim Adamu, wife of the Ona of Abaji and Chairperson of the Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers, underscored the need for caution in the digital space due to its widespread risks.
She highlighted the high poverty levels, low educational attainment, and prevalence of early marriages in the FCT, calling for government policies and actions by FCT representatives to address these issues.
‘We should encourage parents to allow their girls access to school, and reduce early marriage practice.’
Particip
ants expressed their enthusiasm for the program, stating that it provided them with a better understanding of the digital age and how to use it to improve their lives. They felt empowered to handle social media dangers and seize its opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Other speakers at the summit included Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, Founder of Aisha Cares Initiative and Director of the Child’s Rights Foundation; Praise Sam, Speaker of the Helpline Voice of the Girls Parliament; Hauwa Abbas, Founder/CEO of Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative; Lois Auta, Founder of ElectHer and Network of Women with Disabilities; and Olajumoke Adeniyi, Head of Operations at Haram Foundation.
Source: Voice of Nigeria