Launched recently by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, the SmartWoman Project is a mobile service aimed at empowering women in Nigeria and around the world.
SmartWoman Nigeria will allow Nigerian women to connect with one another, share their knowledge and learn from each other; and through that empower themselves. Using ICT, the project aims at helping women improve their business performance, be more efficient and effective in their jobs, and also generate new employment opportunities.
The initiative was launched in partnership with ChangeCorp, a US based social enterprise ChangeCorp and WIMBIZ.
Apart from SmartWoman Nigeria, the ministry has also partnered with Huawei in a three-day training to give over 1000 girls essential ICT skills to help them get jobs or pursue their careers.
According to the Minister of Communication Technology (FMCT), Mrs Omobola Johnson, the initiatives aim at addressing the ICT gender gap apart from just helping them get jobs and become efficient and effective in their careers. To her ICT has an unlimited potential to significantly contribute to upping women’s social welfare.
“Nigeria’s ICT sector has increased tremendously in the past 12 years growing at 20 per cent annually, making it the fastest growing in the country and women must be part of the revolution,” Mrs Omobola Johnson said.
Her ministry aims to see more women and girls embracing ICTS so as they reach their potential and add to the country’s economic development.