The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof Ayo Omotayo, has called on women to embrace technology and artificial intelligence to revolutionise access to justice for women in rural communities. He emphasised that this would enable them to seek legal aid and report discrimination instantly through mobile platforms.
Keynote Address at NEWOMCII Launch
Omotayo spoke on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the national launch of the New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative (NEWOMCII) and book unveiling held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja. Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Women and Communities: A Practical Pathway for Transformation and Sustainable Development,” the NIPSS boss said digital innovation must become a major driver of gender equity, community development and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
Mobile Technology as a Tool for Justice
He noted that mobile technology had already demonstrated its reach through fintech services in rural communities and could similarly 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,” he said.
AI and Digital Skills for Women
Omotayo warned that women must not be excluded from the growing influence of artificial intelligence, urging stakeholders to equip them with the digital skills and tools needed to participate effectively in the evolving economy. According to him, AI-driven data systems can also help civil society organisations monitor agribusiness performance and connect rural artisans to global value chains.
Weak Implementation of International Frameworks
The NIPSS Director-General observed that although Nigeria is signatory 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 level remains weak. He argued that real transformation would only occur when international gender agreements are translated into practical realities within local government areas and rural communities.
Proposal for Cities for CEDAW
Omotayo proposed the establishment of “Cities or Communities for CEDAW,” a framework under which local governments would voluntarily adopt global gender equity standards into their planning and governance structures. He also called for stronger collaboration among local government chairmen, traditional rulers and community institutions to make women’s access to land, credit and economic opportunities more practical.
National Competition on Gender Neutrality
The NIPSS boss further disclosed that the institute, 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 would be evaluated based on women’s representation in decision-making structures, gender-responsive infrastructure planning and the integration of gender neutrality into local laws and administrative processes.
Call for Implementation Over Advocacy
Omotayo urged stakeholders to move beyond advocacy to implementation, insisting that women should be seen as strategic economic assets rather than vulnerable groups. He added that, “When we invest in a woman, we are not just performing a social good; we are making a high-yield economic investment”.
Founder’s Remarks
Earlier, Founder and Chairman of NEWOMCII, Bolaji Raji, said the organisation was established in response to the lack of opportunities and support systems available to many women and youths at the grassroots.
