Helping close the gender gap in Information and Communication Technologies iLabLiberia kicks off an ICT program for girls – awarded and visited by Google
There are still much too few women in technology and in information and communications technologies (ICT) – in Liberia and around the world. Regardless of whether this is due to stereotypes, fears or lack of opportunities, this gender gap needs to be closed.
Two Google representatives from the US and Ghana will be visiting Liberia Monday June 3 – Tuesday June 4. The press is invited to visit iLab and to engage with iLab, Google and the women participants on June 4, 12-1 PM.
iLab’s summer program “iLab’s Python for Girls: programming Liberia’s future” consists of several trainings – ranging from a two-day career workshop to week long intensive internet and social media trainings and even one month long programming courses. The trainings are meant for girls who would like to take first steps into a career in ICT or a career that uses ICT extensively – i.e., particularly high school students or first-/second-year university students.
These trainings are free of charge and aim at:
- Giving young Liberian women access to computer programming classes, an opportunity that is not common in Liberia
- Introducing Liberians with an IT interest to various career paths
- Providing quality instruction, IT equipment, curriculum and internet connectivity
- Growing young women’s IT skills beyond a beginner level
- Focusing on young women’s professional growth in a society that does not encourage young women’s participation in IT – considered “men’s work.”
iLab Liberia is a non-profit information technology NGO, whose mission is to provide the facilities and expertise to allow local IT use to flourish. iLab provides access to cutting-edge technology, expert IT assistance and a community of individuals leveraging technology for the good of the country. Just during 2013, over 1 000 Liberians have visited various iLab events and trainings.
Google RISE – Roots in Science and Engineering – Awards are grants designed to promote and support Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science education initiatives for K-12/Primary and Secondary students around the world. For students everywhere to have an opportunity to become creators – and not just consumers – of tomorrow’s innovations, it is vital to expand access to Computer Science education through programs that inspire, engage, and retain top talent.
