Technology firm, Cisco, and Unites Academy Foundation have lamented that girls are disadvantaged in information communication technology (ICT) space because they are often not encouraged to take up courses in Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) fields which are hugely male dominated.
They said platforms such as the second edition (Southwest regionals) of the National ICT Champions Olympics for girls it jointly organised will stimulate the interest of girls in ICT and bridge the gender digital divide.
According to the orgnaisers, the competition which took place at the Queens College Gymnasium in Lagos, was aimed at providing a platform for the girl child to demonstrate their skills in ICT, inspire girls to embrace ICT and encourage entrepreneurship skills and ICT competency among girls.
Director/Principal of Queens College, Chief Mrs Bola Are said the world is now a global village through ICT, adding that girls must use ICT to develop their brains, impact their lives positively and add value to the society they live.