Women's Technology Empowerment Centre

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. Over the last year, 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.

This is done through technology trainings, mentoring, work placement and research. W.TEC works in partnership with local and international NGOs, educational and research organizations.

W.TEC was set-up in January 2008 and conceived in response to research that showed that although ICTs significantly contribute to a nation’s development and growth, women – who make-up approximately half of Nigeria’s population – are severely lagging behind in their knowledge and use of technology.

MISSION:

To educate, connect and empower Nigerian women through active engagement with information and communication technology via training, mentoring and research.

VISION:

A society where Nigerian women and girls are able to create and use information and communication technology for learning, activism, entrepreneurship, and professional activities effectively.

GOAls:

• To equip girls with the skills to create technology and digital content
• To educate girls about and inspire them to pursue science and technology-related career opportunities
• To support girls as they embark on a science and technology-related career path
• To produce innovative and ground-breaking research that supports the development and implementation of technology programmes for women and girls
• To promote and support the use of ICT in uplifting women’s rights
• To establish a network of technology-fluent alumni and mentors