SMW 2020: Stakeholders Urge Women To Key Into Technology

Some experts at the just concluded Social Media Week (SMW) on Friday in Lagos urged more women to key into technology while noting that Artificial Intelligence is the next innovation.

The speakers gave the advice during a panel discussion on “Women Build Technology Too! The Benefits of and Challenges to Achieving a Gender Balanced Tech Ecosystem”.

It was reported that SMW is one of the world’s foremost conferences and industry news platforms for marketers.

It provides brands, agencies and technology providers with the latest insights, trends and best practices together with access to a global community of marketing decision makers.

Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder, Rise Network, said that women needed to key into technology as it would take over the world.

“We need more of this gender to key into technology and as a country, we need to move to technology because in the nearest future, it will take over the world.

“Artificial intelligence can be used to test and solve problems which so many countries across the world are doing, but our country is still far behind.

“Women in this country have the mindset that they can go into technology because it is a man’s business but we must change that narrative and encourage women to key into this.

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“Technology can be used to battle technology and since statistics has shown that 80 per cent of women are the victims of terrorism, this should serve as a major motivation for female to tap into it.

“They are the present and future of the world so we must use technology to take the country to another level,” she said.

Akerele-Ogunsiji noted that women needed to collaborate with one another to ensure better  results.

“We need to work with each other to ensure more synergy as this will produce better results.

“They must also be proud of their various achievements and must always blow their trumpets,” she said.

Simi Olusola, Executive Director, Aspilos Foundation, said that women needed to be involved in development as it is more beneficial.

She also noted that a lot of people had been cut-off technology because they were not aware of it .

Olusola called on parents to train their children, especially women, on gender equality and discrimination.

“Parents must teach children that all chores and jobs are for both sex and their should not be any form of discrimination as this impacts on the mentality of the kids.

“The mentality we instill in our children is extremely important as this will shape their future,” she said.

Also speaking, Temilade Adelakun, STEM Advocate Women in Tech Emthusiast, University of Ibadan, said women who were role model must be brought into the spotlight.

She noted that primary and secondary school students should be encouraged to learn about artificial intelligence especially women.

“Women who are role models in the society should be brought into the spotlight as this will motivate other women to thrive harder.

“Students in primary and secondary schools should be enlightened on the benefits of technology and how to key into it.

“This will help in removing the mentality  that some certain jobs are only for men as this will also help in gender equality,” She said.

Kafayat Adeoye, Information Technology Support Specialist, Eko Konnect said that recruiting strategies must be reviewed to suit women.

“Companies must change their recruiting strategies and women must become the primary target as this will help in bridging the gap of gender equality.” She said.