Three maritime women organizations, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, African Women in Maritime (WIMA) Nigeria and Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) Nigeria are collaborating to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on Thursday at Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) headquarters in Lagos.
IWD, which is annually marked on March 8th, will be utilized as an ideal platform by the women groups in urging governments, activists and stakeholders in the maritime space to continue working together to make the digital world safer, more inclusive, and more egalitarian.
The theme for International Womens Day 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”
According to a press statement issued by the groups today, they will be utilizing the event as an opportunity to build a better future for everyone on earth, not just women and girls, as the world deals with a variety of global issues.
“This collaboration will recognize and celebrate women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education in the maritime space. Jointly, as women in the maritime space in Nigeria, WISTA Nigeria, WIMA Nigeria and WIMOWCA Nigeria are advocating for equity, technological advancement and inclusion of all women in the digital space to further the advancement of the maritime industry in Nigeria,” the statement read.
Noting that digital technology is also creating new opportunities for the global emancipation of women, girls, and other oppressed populations, the groups are optimistic that the digital age also offers an unparalleled chance to eradicate all types of inequity and inequality, from gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The 2023 IWD will explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities and spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.
Women have made countless contributions to the digital world that we live in. From the early days of computing to the modern era of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, their footprints can be seen in the digital space. Their achievements have been in a field that has historically never embraced or valued the contributions of women. Yet against all odds women have thrived.
