Closing ICT usability gaps for Nigerian women and girls: Strategies for reducing gender inequality

Abstract

Significant empirical evidence from literature revealed that women, described as better versions of men, play integral roles as mothers, educators, household managers, and life-givers, constituting half of the world’s human capital and population. Globally, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations are tremendous enablers of women’s empowerment and capabilities. Despite these important virtues, numerous investigations have shown significant gender gaps in internet use (23%), literacy rate (48.6%), pay gap (22%), tech-related positions (26.7%), tech workforce (19%), tech leadership positions (22%), developer workforce (5%), etc., resulting majorly from restrictions placed by ICT contents, language, and environment that are not pertinent, comfortable and gender-sensitive. Women and girls have great potential to redress gender gaps if empowered through effective, efficient, and satisfactory ICT adoption and usage. This study highlights strategies for reducing gender inequalities by closing existing gaps in ICT usability by women and girls. The conceptual framework espoused for this study was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A narrative review methodology of related research findings from peer-reviewed articles was adopted to draw holistic findings that revealed significant information on strategies for reducing gender inequality by leveraging ICT usability for women and girls. Results show that leveraging women’s literacy abilities for ICT adoption and usability may increase their sociability capital resources, thereby advancing sustainable goals for the significant reduction of gender inequalities. With ICT literacy, technology and the internet become enablers for girls and women for harnessing the power of technology for innovative solutions, capable of providing equal employment opportunities that can stimulate economic growth and development. There cannot be significant gender equality without effective leveraging of ICT innovations, literacy, adoption, and usage for the economic empowerment of women and girls.