A not-for-profit organization, Assist Women and Develop Children Initiative (AWODECI) has lent its voice to further chances of women with disabilities succeeding in a world driven by innovation and technology.
AWODECI, in a collaboration with the Joint National Association Of Persons With Disabilities (Women Wings) Osun State, made the call at a symposium themed: “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.
The program was held to recognize and celebrate Women and Girls (especially those with disabilities) who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.
Executive Director of AWODECI, Mrs. Ogunniyi Jadesola in her address said: “Women with Disabilities are knowledgeable and are ready to introduce new ideas and methods into their products to make it go viral if they have the means.”
Jadedola called on members of society who have the means to address financial challenges and other factors obstructing Women with Disabilities in order to help bring out their best in their chosen professions and careers.
A Guest speaker at the symposium, Mr Olarewaju Oladosu, noted that: “only 63 per cent of women were using the Internet as of 2022 compared to 69 per cent of men.
According to him: By 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEM areas. Yet today, women hold only 22% of positions in artificial intelligence, to name just one.”
Oladosu further said that “most women with disabilities generally demonstrate poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rate of poverty than persons without disabilities.
He however remarked that this challenge must not limit women with disabilities, rather he charged them to use it as stepping stones to achieve greatness. Oladosu encouraged Women with Disabilities to shun their limitations and look forward to the better future.
Isola, Omotola Elizabeth, Women Coordinator, JONAPWD, Osun State, urged Persons With Disabilities to build a retaining wall and functional ability to structure and leverage over barriers faced on daily basis.
She however appreciated the effort of non-governmental organizations, Faith based organizations, civil society organizations and charitable donors to help women with disabilities meet up through the use of assistive mobility aids and other technologies like wheelchair, crutches, digital cane, hearing aids and low vision devices for Persons with Disabilities.