Women Research and Documentation Centre (WORDOC), Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, has urged parents and guardians to monitor the usage of digital technology by their children and wards.
The Coordinator WORDOC, Dr Sharon Omotoso, stated this at an event in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State on Tuesday to mark this year’s International Day of Rural Women.
The theme of the event, organised by WORDOC, was “Strengthening the Capacity of Nigeria Women: Rural Families in Digital Spaces.
Omotoso said that the occasion was aimed at also empowering the women who were working very hard to contribute to society’s wellness and progress.
“We are using this occasion to spread the news about digital technology and how the family needs to be aware and also be careful with its usage and also to share the need for literacy.
“We also chose to discuss technology with the rural women because technology is here to stay and whatever we are doing we should be careful in the cause of using the gadgets.
She urged the women to discourage their children from using gadgets, such as telephone, computer and others in negative ways, saying that technology had both positive and negative aspects.
The WORDOC coordinator extolled the virtues of women in nation building as well as their roles as catalysts for development and sustenance of societal values.
She said that the gathering was also dedicated to appreciating rural women for their hard work and resilience as the backbone of the family.
Also speaking, Dr Mutiat Oladejo, of Department of History, University of Ibadan, stressed the imperative for women’s empowerment, adding that they also be knowledgeable about technological advancement.
“It is not only when the politicians gather them to share some packs of salt and sugar; empowerment is not all about political empowerment,” she said.
The women, who spoke at the occasion, promised to make use of all they had learnt and also inform members of their families on the need to desist from the dangers of misusing the gadgets.
