Technology, key Enabler to Reducing Gender bias in Education-Experts

Experts in the education space have called on stakeholders to rally support for the integration and adoption of technology solutions to address imbalances or gender-based barriers to learning.

This was the takeout at the October edition of Edtech Mondays, an initiative of the Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching & Learning in ICT. The engagement session themed “Potential of Technology to Remove Gender-Based Learning Barriers and Drive Gender Transformative Education in Nigeria” was moderated by Practice Lead, Education, CcHUB, Chinyelu Akpa.

One of the panelists, Program Coordinator, Women Technology Empowerment Centre, Blessed Hammed-Musa, explained that technology remains a catalyst or enabler for learners necessary to eliminate societal ills or unequal access to opportunities associated with gender biases or issues.

While acknowledging that technology has fostered a great deal of gender imbalance in education, Hammed-Musa identified access to educational resources, provision of digital training opportunities, and change of mindset as key to changing the narrative. She advised both educators and parents not to be gender biased when assisting learners in using educational devices.

Also speaking, a Gender Equity/Program Associate, Re;learn, Abigail Anaza-mark, stated that the role of technology could no longer be downplayed, given how it has contributed to removing gender-based learning barriers and driving gender-transformative education in Nigeria.

Anaza-mark explained that the deployment of technological solutions in the education sector has led to a spike in the enrolment of girls in schools. She was of the view that that technology is unlocking a lot of creativity among girls or boys who suffer from imbalance while also opening them up to transformative learning. Noting that the influence of technology, through social media, has played a significant role in helping girls see themselves through the lens of other women, she said “girls are now beginning to understand, learn about the stories, struggles, and triumphs of other women who have gone ahead of them.”

Also speaking, Child forensic interview specialist, Bisi Ajayi-Kayode stressed the need to remove negative stereotypes that enforce gender roles through transformative gender education. Ajayi-Kayode said efforts must be made to create a safe and inclusive environment for education, free from discriminatory laws and policies.

She explained that without a gender lens on education, learning in Nigeria runs the risk of gender disparity that can lead to marginalization and suppression of certain groups of children who are confronted with challenges of substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.