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2018 Girls in ICT:
As part of events to mark the International Girls in ICT Day, MindAfrica Leadership Initiative, a not-for-profit organization in Port Harcourt, held a 1-day workshop for secondary school girls of Holy Rosary College on the 26th of April, 2018. One of the highlights of the event was the official launch of the “Girls Code Club”, an after-school program that is designed to inspire and empower girls within the ages of 10 – 17, with the skills to become creators of technology in order to enhance their potential, improve their lives, and impact their community.
The goal of the program was to educate young girls on the range of possibilities offered by the knowledge of coding and to build their skills and confidence through hands-on learning. It was also aimed at getting them to take their first steps in coding and to experience for themselves just how interesting coding is. The event featured plenary sessions, workshops and interactions with women in the ICT profession including Ekima Osifo, Team Lead, ICT/Media & Communications in MindAfrica and Esther Smart, CEO, Smart Tek, who were speakers at the event. 50 students from SS1 and SS2 participated in the program.
Launching the Girls Code Club in the school, the Executive Director of MindAfrica, Olere Iluebbey, said that this is a cross-cutting program strategy that is central to MindAfrica’s effort in using ICT to empower and improve the lives of adolescent girls in Nigeria. She said that as the first Girls Code Club to be established by MindAfrica, all efforts would be made to ensure that it enhances the experience of the students. She also advised the students to take advantage of this free opportunity to learn and advance their career aspirations.
In her response, the Principal of Holy Rosary College, Barr (Mrs) Veronica Efika, thanked MindAfrica for choosing Holy Rosary College as the first school to launch the club. She commended MindAfrica for the initiative in ensuring that ICT education, skills building, and empowerment of the girl-child were given focus. She assured MindAfrica and the students of her utmost co-operation in ensuring that the objectives of the club are achieved.
Using a creative curriculum, the Girls Code Club will enable girls with minimal computer skills to learn the fundamentals of programming and creative expression through code. Establishing Girls Code Club in schools will motivate girls to explore new ideas and skills which previously seemed unattainable. It will also increase girls’ interest and achievement in Math and other STEM subjects.
2016 Girls in ICT:
To commemorate the 2016 International Girls in ICT day, MindAfrica hosted 103 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 from seven (7) secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria in mentoring sessions and hands-on Tech workshops to change negative attitude and perception of girls toward ICT.
The event featured a Panel discussion which highlighted the relevance of ICT and the opportunities that exist for girls and women in Nigeria. Our panelist shared their most challenging and satisfying aspects of their careers and they encouraged the girls not to be intimidated or discouraged by challenges in the course of pursuing their dreams.
To empower the girls with ICT skills, every student participated in a hands-on tech workshop. Participants displayed a keen interest in all workshop activities and were able to acquire ICT related skills. The girls were able to build and program robots, couple electronic circuits, program with Arduino and some students had the opportunity to use a computer for the first time.
The Outcomes:
• 100% of of the girls who attended the event acquired new skills in programming, coding with scratch, Arduino, electronics, and basic computer skills such as creating documents, folders, typing with MS applications.
• 92% reported that they were positively motivated by the panel discussions
• 94% of the students reported that the hands-on workshop was their most interesting session at the event.
• 85% of students would like to explore courses and careers in ICT fields
• 60% of students would like to be part of a coding club in school
View Photobook of the Event
2015 Girls in ICT:
To empower and encourage girls to consider studies and careers in STEM fields, MindAfrica collaborated with Focus Hub, organizers of Girls in ICT Day by sponsoring secondary school girls to attend a 1-day conference. The event provided practical insight into the vast possibilities offered by ICTs and gave over 100 girls the confidence to pursue ICT studies and careers.
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