As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, experts are emphasizing the critical role of data inclusion in empowering women and fostering gender equality. Dr. Gabriel Akinremi, a data governance specialist, has highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gender gap in digital access and ensure robust privacy protections for women in Nigeria’s data-driven economy.
In a paper titled “Accelerating Action for Women’s Data Inclusion in the Digital Era,” Dr. Akinremi explores the challenges Nigerian women face in accessing and utilizing data. He identifies entrenched gender disparities, socio-cultural barriers, and limited digital infrastructure as key factors that continue to exclude women from digital economic opportunities.
He argues that improving women’s data inclusion can lead to economic empowerment, better social services, and increased representation in decision-making processes. He also underscores the importance of gender-disaggregated data in shaping policies that reflect women’s needs, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and financial services.
Despite the benefits, several obstacles hinder women’s participation in the digital space. Limited access to smartphones and the internet, cultural restrictions, and biases in data collection are some of the major barriers. Additionally, privacy concerns such as data breaches, online harassment, and identity theft disproportionately affect women, making digital engagement a risky venture.
Dr. Akinremi notes that while Nigeria has made progress with the introduction of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in 2019, enforcement remains weak, and public awareness of data rights is low. He calls for stronger legal frameworks, dedicated regulatory bodies, and gender-responsive data policies to protect women’s digital rights.
To accelerate progress, he recommends targeted digital literacy programs, gender-sensitive AI policies, and public-private partnerships to expand women’s access to digital resources. He also urges businesses and government agencies to adopt ethical data collection practices that prioritize women’s privacy and security.
As International Women’s Day 2025 is marked, stakeholders are urged to take decisive steps to create an inclusive digital ecosystem where Nigerian women can thrive in the data economy while safeguarding their rights and privacy.