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)
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)
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)
