Nigeria TechWomen Alumni Mentor 30 adolescent girls in STEM fields

US Government Exchange Alumni are at the forefront of promoting STEM education and implementing programs to encourage Nigerian women and girls to pursue education and careers in the fields technologies.

Alumni of the 2021 US government-sponsored TechWomen program on Monday concluded a STEM mentorship program called “EduChamps” for 30 teenage girls from African Church Grammar School in Ibadan.

Supported by the US government, the program provided mentorship and skills training for girls to explore careers and business opportunities in STEM.

Speaking at the program’s closing ceremony, US Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz said it’s imperative that young girls have access to mentors in a variety of fields who can help them learn skills and build their confidence to consider higher education and careers. in STEM.

She noted that “EduChamps” is one of the US government’s initiatives to engage underserved communities, achieve gender parity, and provide opportunities for women and girls to help create prosperity. sustainable and inclusive economy.

“STEM education is the essential foundation for any country’s economic success,” Foltz said. “We are delighted to support this initiative which inspires young girls to consider STEM subjects in their future careers in order to solve global challenges.”

TechWomen Fellow Damilola Asaleye said attracting more girls into tech would help close the gender gap in STEM fields. “With EduChamps, we are taking steps to improve inclusion and close the gender gap in STEM,” she added.

Through the “EduChamps” initiative, TechWomen scholars provided career advice to high school girls focusing on opportunities in the tech sector such as upcycling, automotive engineering, renewable energy, agriculture sustainability and space science.

Students also received school supplies such as school bags, school uniforms, textbooks, notebooks, writing materials and sanitary napkins to encourage them to stay in school.

More broadly, the United States has invested millions of dollars to directly advance gender equality across sub-Saharan Africa, through activities that promote opportunities for women, access to health services and education, and efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

In 2011, the US government launched the TechWomen program to empower the next generation of female leaders in technology. This exchange program brings women from Northern California together with their counterparts from the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for professional mentorship in technology companies prominent in the United States.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.