Intel Stresses Technology Empowerment for the Girl Child

World’s leading silicon innovator, Intel once again furthered the need to bridge the gender gap in technology by hosting female beneficiaries of its She Will Connect (SWC) programme, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Victoria Island in Lagos.

Speaking at the occasion, Group Manager, Corporate Affairs, Intel, Babatunde Akinola observed that access to technology has opened up a world of many opportunities for women and the girl child, and it is transforming their roles across the world.L-R: Program Manager, The Women’s Technology Empowerment Center (W.TEC), Modupeolowa Darabidan; Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Nigeria, Babatunde Akinola; Intel She Will Connect Ambassador for Nigeria, Titilope Sonuga; Program Officer, Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), Olamide Ogungbemi; Co-ordinator, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (PBOF) , Osasumwwen Paul-Azino at the Intel She Will Connect End of year outing which held at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, in Lagos recently.Akinola explained that, breaking the stereotypes on appropriate career paths for girls was critical to women’s economic empowerment and employment, noting that, “We started “She Will Connect” with a mission to empower 5 million girls in the next five years. This is the first year running and we are excited that the initiative is already yielding fruits among the beneficiaries present today.”

He reiterated Intel’s commitment to constantly push for gender equality in the world of technology as well as equip young girls and women with digital literacy skills.

One of the beneficiaries, Opeyemi Anifowose, a Fashion designer expressed her gratitude to Intel for the initiative, stating that her participation at one of the training sessions had impacted greatly on her creativity.

The 26-year-old student of the University of Ibadan, who is also undergoing training in Fashion designing at the Lagos State Skills and Acquisition Centre, Lagos Island branch said that, “I participated in the training in May and since then, I have been applying what I learnt to my work. I now go online to research on latest trends in Fashion designing and learn how to make them by myself. I am happy I participated.”

Prior to the cinema hangout, the Intel She Will Connect Team also made a stop at the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (PBOF) Girl’s Home to train the girls on the use of computer and internet, using the Intel Easy steps curriculum.

Addressing the girls, Intel Nigeria’s “She Will Connect” ambassador, Titilope Sonuga encouraged the girls to believe in their potentials. Sonuga added that, “You can be whoever you want to be and your sex should not impede your career path. This is why we want more women to embrace technology, because technology is a liberator.”

While commending Intel for the initiative, Co-ordinator of the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (PBOF), Osasu Paul-Azino remarked that, She Will Connect empowers the girl child with a voice through technology. Azino said that, “She Will Connect ties into our objective which is to rescue, empower and protect the rights of woman and the girl child. It is important that we give a voice to them, and She Will Connect is doing so with technology empowerment.”

Article from https://e2einitiative.wordpress.com/2016/02/