The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Ayo Omotayo, has urged women, particularly in rural communities, to embrace technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance access to justice.

Mr Omotayo made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the inauguration of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative (NEWOMCII).

Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Women and Communities: A Practical Pathway for Transformation and Sustainable Development,” the DG said digital innovation must drive gender equity, community development and inclusive governance in Nigeria.

He said that mobile technology, which was already widely used in fintech services across rural areas, could be deployed to provide protective and proactive justice for women facing discrimination and exclusion.

“Technology can make access to protective and proactive justice local where mobile platforms allow women in rural areas to seek legal aid and report discrimination instantly through mobile platforms,” he said.

He cautioned against the exclusion of women from the growing influence of AI, urging stakeholders to equip them with relevant digital skills and tools for effective participation in the evolving economy.

He added that AI-driven data systems could support civil society organisations in monitoring agribusiness performance and linking rural artisans to global value chains.

The director-general, however, observed that despite Nigeria’s commitment to international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol, implementation at the grassroots remained weak.

He maintained that meaningful transformation would only occur when such frameworks were translated into practical realities at local government and community levels.

He further proposed the creation of “cities or communities for CEDAW,” saying it could serve as a model where local governments would voluntarily integrate global gender equity standards into their governance structures.

He also called for stronger collaboration among local government chairmen, traditional rulers and community institutions to improve women’s access to land, credit and economic opportunities.

He further disclosed that NIPSS, through the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Gender Centre of Excellence, was organising a national competition to assess states on gender neutrality and inclusive governance.

According to him, states will be evaluated based on women’s representation in decision-making, gender-responsive infrastructure and the integration of gender neutrality into laws and administrative systems.

Mr Omotayo urged stakeholders to prioritise implementation over advocacy, emphasising the economic value of investing in women.

He stated, “When we invest in a woman, we are not just performing a social good; we are making a high-yield economic investment.”

Earlier, the Founder and Chairman of NEWOMCII, Bolaji Raji, said the initiative was established to address the lack of opportunities and support systems for women and youths at the grassroots.

Mr Raji also said the organisation was focused on practical empowerment and demand-driven capacity building through agribusiness, arts, creative enterprise, skills acquisition and community interventions.

“At the heart of our work is a belief I hold strongly that when women are empowered, families thrive and communities progress,” he said.

The founder added that the organisation was seeking collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, development partners and the media to expand its reach across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of NEWOMCII, Saadatu Adamu, said the initiative targeted key sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness, creativity, and arts and crafts, where women played vital roles in economic development.

She said that the organisation had impacted several communities through interventions in health, education, mobility, safety planning, humanitarian services, training and capacity building.

“With our operational presence across Nigeria, we are determined to replicate these interventions in all regions of the country,” she said.

Ms Adamu said that NEWOMCII was a national non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and uplifting communities across Nigeria through sustainable, inclusive and gender-responsive development. 

(NAN)