Niamey – This year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization, and NigériElles - a local non-profit organization that promotes women's entrepreneurship in Niger - commemorated International Women's Day (8 March) in Niamey.

This year’s theme highlighted how engaging women and girls in technology leads to more creative solutions and offers greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.

Digital access allows young Nigerien women to learn about the risks of irregular migration and to gain the skills and knowledge to avoid them.

The commemorative event was marked by the launch of a digital skills training programme for twenty-five young women from high schools in Niamey. The training seeks to encourage young women to use digital tools for educational and entrepreneurial activities.

“By addressing existing gender inequalities and guaranteeing the socio-professional rights of young women, we can prevent forced migration as much as possible,” said Seve Diomande, IOM Niger’s Deputy Chief of Mission. “By harnessing technology to support them, we can bridge existing gaps and create more inclusive and supportive communities.”

For many women, the desire for a better life may lead to a decision to migrate irregularly, risking abuse and exploitation. Educating young women about the risks of these issues and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to avoid them is essential.

Through this training programme, the Migration Directorate and IOM aim to raise awareness on the importance of technology in combating irregular migration in a climate of insecurity and violence against women.

"Migration is now a recurring topic in all social, economic and political debates because of its impact on development, security, stability and social cohesion," said Moha Binta Maige, Director of Migration at the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization. "Once the preserve of men, migration has now become a focus for women with its potential to contribute to a country's development, including through empowerment, transfer of funds and skills."

The training programme was made possible with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

For more information, please contact Aïssatou SY, Public Information Officer, Tel: +227 8006 6531, aisy@iom.int