The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), an organization advocating for the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), reports that 61% of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria lack basic computer skills.
Grace Jerry, Executive Director of IFA, shared this statistic at a Consultative Forum on Digital Literacy for Women and Girls with Disabilities, hosted by IFA in Abuja. The forum aimed to tackle the digital literacy challenges faced by PWDs, with a focus on women and girls.
Jerry emphasized that addressing this gap is crucial as the Federal Government strives to achieve 95% digital literacy across Nigeria by 2030. She highlighted that, while efforts have been made to eliminate barriers for PWDs, many are still excluded from essential services like education, employment, and healthcare.
She pointed out that a 2023 study revealed that 61% of women and girls with disabilities couldn’t perform basic tasks such as turning a computer on or off. Jerry called attention to the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) developed by the National Information Development Agency (NITDA), which lacks provisions specific to PWDs.
The forum aimed to build alliances, analyze the NDLF, and offer strategic recommendations to make it more inclusive for PWDs. Jerry urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize the digital literacy of PWDs, especially women and girls, as digital skills are essential for improving their livelihood and reducing poverty.