Accelerating action for women’s data inclusion in digital era – Gabriel Akinremi
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, it is essential to emphasise the critical role of data inclusion in empowering women and advancing gender equality.
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, data has emerged as a vital asset influencing economic growth, policy formulation, and social integration.
Nevertheless, Nigerian women encounter substantial obstacles to data inclusion due to entrenched gender disparities, socio-cultural barriers, and limited access to digital infrastructure.
In this piece, Dr. Gabriel Akinremi delves into the intricate relationship between women’s data inclusion and the necessity for robust data privacy protections in Nigeria.
It sheds light on the pressing challenges, examines existing regulatory frameworks, and offers well-informed policy recommendations aimed at enhancing women’s engagement in data-driven economies while safeguarding their privacy rights.
Keywords: Women’s Data Inclusion, Data Privacy, Data Protection, Gender Equality, Digital Governance, Nigeria.
Introduction. On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2025, addressing gender equality in the digital landscape is more imperative than ever. In the 21st century, data serves as a cornerstone for strategic decision-making across diverse sectors.
However, the persistent exclusion of women from digital and data ecosystems perpetuates systemic inequalities, severely limiting their socioeconomic opportunities.
It also articulates the necessity of expediting progress toward women’s data inclusion, while concurrently ensuring adherence to data privacy and protection laws in Nigeria.
The Need for Women’s Data Inclusion Women’s data inclusion signifies the fair and equitable engagement of women in the processes of data generation, access, and utilization.In Nigeria, substantial gender disparities in areas such as digital literacy, internet connectivity, and financial inclusion stymie women’s capacity to participate meaningfully in data-driven economies. The benefits stemming from women’s full participation in these areas are profound and multifaceted: Economic Empowerment: Greater access to financial services, including loans, savings, and microfinance, bolsters entrepreneurship opportunities for women, fostering a more vibrant economy.
Improved Social Services: Gender-specific data collection enriches the development of tailored healthcare, educational initiatives, and social policies that better meet the needs of women and girls.
Enhanced Representation: Inclusive data policies ensure that women’s perspectives and needs are integrated into governance structures and decision-making processes at all levels.
Challenges to Women’s Data Inclusion in Nigeria Despite the myriad advantages associated with fostering women’s data inclusion, several formidable challenges persist: Digital Divide:
Many women face obstacles to accessing smartphones, reliable internet connections, and structured digital literacy programs, contributing to a widening gap in digital engagement.
Cultural Barriers: Prevailing social norms often curtail women’s ability to access and navigate digital platforms. Societal pressures and traditional expectations can hinder their engagement in technology-driven initiatives.
Data Bias: The lack of sufficient gender-disaggregated data leads to policies that frequently overlook or inadequately address the distinctive needs of women.
Privacy Concerns: Women are particularly susceptible to threats such as data breaches, online harassment, and identity theft, which can have detrimental impacts on their personal and professional lives.
Data Privacy and Protection Framework in Nigeria. Nigeria has made notable advancements in data protection, particularly with the introduction of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in 2019, which establishes guidelines for safeguarding personal data. Key provisions relevant to women’s data inclusion include: Consent and Control: Women should retain agency over how their data is collected, stored, and utilized, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their rights.
Security Measures: Robust protective measures must be in place to guard against unauthorized access and cyber threats that disproportionately affect women.
Data Minimization: The regulation emphasizes the importance of collecting only essential personal information to mitigate the risk of misuse. Despite these positive developments, significant enforcement challenges and low public awareness hinder the effective implementation of these regulations.
Strategies for Accelerating Women’s Data Inclusion with Privacy Protections To facilitate meaningful participation of women in Nigeria’s data ecosystem while ensuring robust privacy protections, several targeted strategies are recommended: Digital Literacy and Capacity Building.
Launch comprehensive digital skills training programs specifically designed for women and girls, focusing on both technical skills and digital empowerment.
Develop public awareness campaigns to educate women about their data privacy rights, the significance of data security, and best practices in cybersecurity.
Gender-Responsive Data Policies – Advocate for the systematic collection of gender-disaggregated data to inform and craft policies that reflect the needs and experiences of women.
Address and rectify biases present in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms that may misrepresent women’s interests or exacerbate existing inequalities.
Strengthening Legal and Institutional Frameworks Bolster the enforcement of the NDPR and explore the introduction of gender-specific data protection legislation to address unique challenges faced by women.
Establish dedicated regulatory bodies tasked with overseeing gender-sensitive data governance, ensuring that women’s perspectives are integrated into policy-making processes.
Public-Private Partnerships. Foster collaborations with technology companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community groups to enhance women’s access to digital resources and platforms.
Promote ethical data collection practices among businesses and government entities to ensure that women’s rights are prioritized and respected.
Conclusion. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, the achievement of women’s data inclusion in Nigeria necessitates a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders that harmonizes inclusivity with the imperative of privacy protection.
By instituting gender-sensitive policies, fortifying legal frameworks, and advancing digital literacy initiatives, Nigeria can cultivate an equitable digital ecosystem wherein women can fully engage and thrive in the data economy, all while preserving their privacy and security.
