UN Trains 100 Nigerian Girls On Coding

About 100 Nigerian girls aged between 12 and 25 are participating in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), coding camp in Niamey.

A statement issued on the UNECA’s website said the training was part of its “Young African Women Connected Coding Camp” initiative.

UNECA said that the training aim was to promote access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and provide them with good foundation for long-term success in their employment, business creation or further education, and build important partnerships.

Hassane Baraze, Minister of Post and New Information Technologies of Niger, said it was imperative to strengthen vocational training, especially in young girls.

Mr Baraze, who chaired the training, said that it was also important to operationalise the skills required to drive creativity and innovation in the girls.

“Technology skills can lift women from poverty by providing them middle and higher-level jobs.

“It is a stepping stone for high-potential women to higher levels and also reduces the gender gap between men and women,” he said.

The Director of the UNECA Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, Ngone Diop said that in Niger, 70 per cent of the population does not have access to the Internet.

According to Ms Diop, this segment of the population excluded from internet use comprises women, young people and the elderly.