By Oluwatope Lawanson

 

Some Civil Society Organisations have urged the government to harness technology and innovation to create a more inclusive society where women play greater governance roles.

 

 

 

Mr Ibrahim Farouk, Programme Coordinator at Yiaga Africa, and Miss Ngozi Iyadi, Gender Equity Consultant at WILAN, made the call on Thursday at a Digital Democracy Exhibition in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event, held in Ikeja, was organised by Yiaga Africa in partnership with WILAN Global and Civic Hive, with support from BMZ through GIZ African Union.

 

 

 

Farouk said the project is a regional initiative implemented across Nigeria and Ghana, aiming to foster inclusive democratic participation.

 

 

 

He explained that the exhibition featured innovators showcasing tech solutions to address challenges facing women in politics, including stereotypes and misinformation.

 

 

 

Farouk added that the exhibition highlighted civic tech tools countering disinformation, boosting participation, and supporting women’s leadership, especially in upcoming local council elections.

 

 

 

He stressed the importance of technology in promoting good governance and expanding women’s inclusion in decision-making spaces.

 

 

 

“The exhibition unites innovators using digital tools to protect democracy, fight harmful narratives, especially against women, and improve citizen-government relations,” Farouk stated.

 

 

 

He advised the government to collaborate with civil society to support young tech innovators with solutions for inclusive governance.

 

 

 

“There must be synergy between government, civil groups, and tech innovators to promote inclusive leadership.

 

 

 

“Government can provide training and resources to help innovators scale and strengthen their impact,” he said.

 

 

 

Farouk also called for more women, especially young women, in party leadership, campaign roles, and elective positions.

 

 

 

He highlighted that women’s involvement is essential to strengthening democratic processes and outcomes.

 

 

 

Farouk observed that although women comprise more registered voters than men, they remain underrepresented in public offices.

 

 

 

He said, “We don’t have more than five female senators, despite women making up a majority of registered voters.”

 

 

 

He urged women to recognise and organise around their power to influence governance and decision-making processes.

 

 

 

“You can’t win elections without women’s votes. Politicians know this. Women must know it too,” he said.

 

 

 

Iyadi praised innovators for developing tech solutions that improve electoral processes and citizen engagement.

 

 

 

She urged the government to adopt these innovations to streamline elections and boost public participation.

 

 

 

Iyadi also highlighted the need to encourage young women’s participation in politics and leadership.

 

 

 

She said women’s involvement in politics is essential for building a more just and equitable society.

 

 

 

She echoed the importance of collaboration between government, civil society, and innovators to amplify women’s voices in governance.

 

 

 

Miss Ruhamah Ifere of Truly Verify Africa said her initiative empowers youth with digital literacy to fight disinformation through immersive education.

 

 

 

She described Truly Verify Africa as a social enterprise combating propaganda by promoting proactive digital education across the continent.

 

 

 

“The digital space in Africa is under threat from misinformation harming democracy, unity, and economic progress,” she said.

 

 

 

She explained that the solution lies not only in fact-checking but in teaching citizens how to discern digital content.

 

 

 

Another innovator, Luke Ikyaator, said Tech4Her is a four-month mentorship programme for young women in Lagos.

 

 

 

The initiative teaches essential tech skills while cultivating leadership to reduce the gender gap in tech and civic life.

 

 

 

“We can’t separate technology from daily life. It’s key to governance, especially in awareness creation,” Ikyaator stated.

 

 

 

NAN reports that seven innovators showcased tech solutions designed to boost political and civic participation.

 

 

 

The featured innovators included: Truly Verify Africa, Tech4Her, PromiseTrackerNG, The 51% AI Bot, PoliZ NG, FactsMatterNg, and Digital Lab. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

 

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo