The Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), a Non-governmental Organisation dedicated to educating young girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), recently celebrated the graduation of 19 girls from the 17th edition of its ‘She Creates Camp 2024’ in Lagos. This event marked another milestone in W.TEC’s mission, bringing the total number of girls empowered through the program to over 600 since its inception in 2008.
The ‘She Creates Camp’ is a residential program designed for secondary school girls aged 13 to 17. It aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to create practical solutions and technologies for everyday challenges. Over the two-week duration, the participants engaged in a variety of workshops covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Electronics, Software Innovation, and more. They were introduced to programming, mobile application development, and digital content creation, all aimed at fostering their interest in STEM fields.
The camp also included hands-on projects, team-building activities, and career-talk sessions, providing the girls with a well-rounded experience. They explored various technological fields, including Marine Engineering, Recycling and Upcycling, Bio-gas production, Solar power technology, and the Internet of Things (IOTs). Additionally, the camp offered workshops on Environmental Sustainability, Cyber Security, and safer internet practices tailored specifically for girls. Beyond technical skills, the participants were also trained in entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, arts and crafts, self-defense, public speaking, gender and leadership, and emotional intelligence.
To further enhance their learning, the girls visited Wecyclers and Sonnex Packaging Nigeria Ltd in Lagos, where they gained practical insights into the operations of these organizations.
At the graduation ceremony, W.TEC’s Executive Director, Mrs. Oreoluwa Lesi, explained her motivation for starting the program. She noted the limited access women have to computers and the low representation of females in innovation fields. She stressed that the initiative aims to empower young girls by teaching them emerging technologies, preparing them for future opportunities in STEM careers.
