Inclusive Technology and Gender Equity: Enhancing Community Participation to Curb Youth Restiveness in Marginalised Areas

Abstract

Youth restiveness remains a persistent challenge in marginalised communities across Nigeria, often fuelled by unemployment, social exclusion, and limited avenues for civic engagement. While community participation has been widely recognised as a critical mechanism for mitigating this phenomenon, the exclusion of women from digital spaces significantly undermines the inclusiveness and effectiveness of such interventions. This study explores the intersection of gender, technology, and community participation in addressing youth restiveness, with a particular focus on the impact of the digital gender gap on collective community responses. Anchored in Participatory Communication Theory and Gender and Technology Theory, the study adopts a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative survey data (N = 300) with qualitative insights from focus group discussions (n = 24) and key informant interviews (n = 6) across selected communities in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Findings reveal a significant gender disparity in digital access and participation, with only 46% of women reporting regular use of
mobile internet compared to 78% of men. The exclusion of women from digital platforms limited their participation in community-led peace and youth engagement initiatives. The study concludes that bridging the digital gender gap enhances civic inclusion, strengthens local peacebuilding efforts, and improves the sustainability of youthfocused development strategies. It recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive digital inclusion policies, expanded digital literacy training for women, and equitable access to affordable digital tools as part of broader community development and youth engagement frameworks.