The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that TechWomen – an international exchange that uses technology as a means to empower women and girls worldwide – will expand to sub-Saharan Africa beginning in 2013. TechWomen will bring women working in the technology sector from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to the United States for a four to six week mentoring program with their American counterparts in the United States. The U.S. Department of State is currently accepting proposals to administer TechWomen in 2013. Please visit www.grants.gov for more information.
Following the U.S. portion of the exchange, U.S. mentors will travel to Africa to conduct workshops and follow-on training for women in the technology sector and young girls who have expressed an interest in pursuing a tech-based career.
Launched by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2011, TechWomen builds on her vision of “smart power” diplomacy. It embraces the full range of diplomatic tools, in this case technology, to bring people together for greater understanding and empower women and girls worldwide.
TechWomen initially started in the Middle East and North Africa region last year. In September 2012, the U.S. Department of State will bring 42 women from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen to the United States for this peer mentorship. TechWomen is currently accepting applications for American mentors. Click here to learn more about serving as a TechWomen mentor.
During the 2011 inaugural program, more than 20 leading U.S. companies participated in the public-private partnership by hosting international TechWomen.
Stay tuned for updates on Twitter @TechWomen.
Media contact: Talley Sergent U.S. Department of State at SergentRT@state.gov.
