ICCE Foundation, Partners Launch Digital Skills Programme for Girls in Cross River
By Ekanem ASUQUO
A four month vocational and digital skills training programme for young girls has been launched in Cross River State by the Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation as part of efforts to promote economic empowerment and self reliance among adolescent girls.
The initiative, which will be implemented by the Girls’ Power Initiative Calabar Centre, was unveiled during an inception and visibility meeting in Calabar attended by beneficiaries, parents, mentors and development partners.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Programmes at the Girls’ Power Initiative, Mrs Ndodeye Bassey Obongha, said the training programme is designed to equip young girls with relevant digital skills that will position them for opportunities in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
She explained that the initiative seeks to close the existing skills gap among young girls by providing practical knowledge that will enable them to compete favourably in the digital economy.
According to her, participants will be exposed to vocational and digital competencies that can help them earn a livelihood and become self reliant.
Mrs Obongha also commended the Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation for supporting the project, noting that the intervention would open new opportunities for young girls across the state.
She added that the programme forms part of broader efforts to promote digital inclusion, entrepreneurship and leadership development among adolescent girls.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Girls’ Power Initiative Calabar Centre, Comfort Ikpeme, expressed appreciation to the foundation for its support and also acknowledged Project Alert on Violence Against Women and its Executive Director, Dr Josephine Effah Chukwuma, for their sustained commitment to the empowerment and protection of women and girls.
In her remarks, the Director of Child Development in the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Felicia Oti, described the initiative as a commendable effort toward helping the girl child realise her potential.
She noted that the programme would complement ongoing government initiatives aimed at equipping girls with the skills required to improve their future prospects and contribute meaningfully to society.
Also speaking, Ms Oni Davids of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative praised the foundation for the initiative, noting that such programmes would stimulate economic opportunities while helping to reduce the vulnerability of young girls to exploitation and abuse.
Parents and guardians who attended the meeting welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that the training would provide beneficiaries with practical skills capable of improving their lives. Stakeholders at the event also expressed hope that the programme would strengthen the confidence and economic capacity of young girls across Cross River State while promoting gender equality and youth empowerment.
