As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Federal Government has been urged to focus more on digital skills training and improved technology infrastructure for girls as a way to reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence. The call was made by a non-governmental organisation, Hercode Initiative, during its Cloud Practitioner Essentials Masterclass in Abuja, which was designed to equip young women with basic technology and cloud computing skills.
Founder of Hercode Initiative, Dr. Ada Oluchi Uformadu, said that empowering girls with digital knowledge increases their awareness, confidence and economic independence. She explained that these factors play a major role in reducing their exposure to violence. According to her, technology education is now central to the fight against gender-based violence because informed and digitally skilled girls are better positioned to protect themselves, speak out and influence positive change in their communities.
“We are gathered here today to uplift awareness and promote activism in the social space for women and girls, ensuring that they are confident, empowered and fortified,” she said. “We encourage them to take what they have learnt back to their communities, schools and sectors, so they can continue to grow and learn.”
Uformadu called for stronger government support to make technology infrastructure available, especially in underserved communities, to close the digital knowledge gap for women and girls. She explained that the organisation has already carried out several awareness programmes where technology is introduced to communities with large female populations. “We are advocating for women and girls. We have conducted various enlightenment programmes where we expose technology to communities with female populations. We are also building solar laboratories to ensure they have the infrastructure needed to fully engage in the digital space,” she said.
She said that participants in the masterclass will receive scholarships, computers and mentorship opportunities to help them make use of their new skills for community development. She added that cloud computing is an important entry point for the young women. “That begins with cloud computing, which is why it is important for them to understand its value. We are offering this free course to enable them obtain professional certification so they can improve their economic status, contribute to their communities and ultimately help develop the nation,” she explained.
Speaking on behalf of partner organisation, the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, Catherine Osho said that teaching girls technology opens many opportunities, especially as cloud technology continues to shape the future of work in Nigeria.
Some of the trainees described the programme as an eye-opener, saying it introduced them to new career paths in cloud solutions architecture, artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Recent figures underline the urgency of the initiative. The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey shows that 31 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while nine per cent have suffered sexual assault. UNICEF recorded 27,698 gender-based violence cases between 2020 and 2023, resulting in 1,145 deaths and only 393 convictions. In January 2025, reports showed a 240 per cent rise in femicide cases over the previous year, while the Nigeria Police Force handled at least 17,415 gender and domestic violence cases in 2024.
