The Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) runs technology education programs for girls and women in Nigeria to promote gender equality in STEM fields. One of their flagship programs is the Girls Technology Camp, a 2-week residential program that teaches girls ages 11-17 basic computer skills as well as applications like word processing, spreadsheets, web design, and video production. Evaluations found that the camps improved the girls' confidence and leadership skills, and influenced many to pursue technology-related careers. W.TEC aims to expand girls' access to technology and encourage their participation in Nigeria's digital economy.

1. Building Blocks: The W.TEC Girls
Technology Camp
By Oreoluwa Somolu
Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre – W.TEC
Africahubs Web Gathering
Engaging African Women & Girls in Technology
December 11, 2012
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

2. Vision
A society where Nigerian women are
able to use information & communication tools
(ICT) effectively for work, leisure & activism.
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

3. What Does W.TEC Do?
• Provide technology education for Nigerian
women & girls
• Support the use of ICT in promoting women’s
rights
• Produce innovative and ground-breaking
research
• Establish a network of technology-fluent
alumni and mentors
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

4. Why Do We Do It?
• Women make up approx. 50% of Nigeria’s
population, but make up less than 20% of ICT jobs
• Technology is an engine of economic development
– So economic development is stunted by half of the
population left out
• Technology is a channel for social development
– So learning & networking opportunities lost by low
knowledge of &access to ICT
• Desire for girls to grow-up into empowered women
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

5. How Do We Do It?
– Skill-Building Programmes
Girls Technology Camp | Young Women’s ICT
Project
Networking for Success | 16 Days Campaign
– Mentoring Opportunities
– Research
– Work-Placement / Internships
– HUB The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

6. Girls Technology Camp
• Girls in Secondary School (11 – 17 years)
• 2-week Residential Program
• Goals:
– Introduce ICT at an early age
– Encourage to pursue technology-related careers
– Explore use of ICT in school, leisure & work
• Supporters:
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

7. Technology Classes
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

8. Girls Learn …
• Computer Foundation;
• Intro to Applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• E-mail & Internet Search Skills
• Social Media – Blogging, Networking Sites
• Photography & Image Editing
• Graphic Design
• Video Production
• Web Design
• Career Talks
• Excursions
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

9. Student’s Work: Word Processing
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

10. Student’s Work: Presentations
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

11. Student’s Work: Spreadsheets
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

12. Student’s Work: Blogging
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

13. Student’s Work: Creating Web
Sites
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

14. Student’s Work: Video Production
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

15. Career Talks
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

16. Field Trips
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

17. Assessing Our Progress
• Proficiency Test
• Pre & Post Tests
• Closing Tests
• Written and Verbal Feedback
• 6-Months Interview
• Feedback from Stakeholders (Donors, Parents,
Teachers, Technology
Professionals/Organisations)
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

18. 6 Months Later …
• 77% were using the tools taught
– Most popular were MS Word, E-mail, Facebook,
Internet for finding information & downloading
music
• At least 40% were changing to Science,
Engineering & Technology-related careers
• Those who did not plan to change career
choice, stated they would use technology in
their work
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

19. Achievements: Technology Camp
• 108 graduates of Girls Technology Camp
• Can use computers, internet & send emails
• Can use search engine to get information
• Learnt factors to consider in career
• All plan to pursue technology-related work or
integrate technology in their work
• Developed more confidence & leadership skills
• Developed better public-speaking skills
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

20. The Girls Said..
“ The camp has been
beneficial to me in the use
of computers and I am no
longer a shy person.
I told my friends about MS
Word, how to find videos,
web pages, gender and
leadership.”
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

21. The Girls Said..
“ I now video record
and edit the youth
services and other
programs for my
church.”
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

22. In 2013
• Girls Technology Club & Monthly Workshops
• Robotics Camp
• Introduction to Computer Science
• Ruby on Rails Workshops
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

23. Thank You
Email: info@w-teconline.org
Website: www.w-teconline.org
Blog: www.w-teconline.org/blog
The Women’s Technology
Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)