Based in Nigeria

Women's Technology Empowerment Centre -W.TEC

A Non-profit

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Organization Details

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is a Nigerian nonprofit organisation committed to building a more inclusive technology ecosystem, with the next generation of women technology creators, entrepreneurs and leaders. More recently, our work has expanded to explore how technology can improve learning outcomes and better integrate students with developmental disabilities and special needs, such as Autism and Down’s syndrome.

 

Our programmes encourage more girls to pursue technology careers and support women (entrepreneurs and in civil society) to use technology confidently to increase their economic power and ability to speak about issues affecting their lives.

Impact Story

According to the EQUALS Research Report 2019 on the gender digital gap, only 35% of women major in STEM subjects at higher education. In Nigeria, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, women makeup on average just 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year.

The UNESCO 2017 Cracking the Code Report explains that STEM underpins the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and leaving out girls and women and other marginalised groups from STEM education and careers is a loss for all of society.

Data from the World Economic Forum shows that, across industries, many job roles will be significantly based on and enhanced by the use of science, technology, engineering and design. Without the technical and creative skills to work in and thrive in these industries, women will be shut-off from these important economic opportunities.

A report by McKinsey on Closing the Gender Gap emphasised the need to design interventions for those facing the most barriers to STEM education such as women and girls

Our programmes seeks to provide girls comfortable and safe spaces based in their local communities, where they can learn about and develop skills in STEAM subjects and consequently be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.

Since 2008, we have worked with 43,384 women and girls (and teachers).

86.21% of alumnae surveyed stated that participating in the W.TEC programme inspired them to pursue a STEM-related career path