The Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)

About W.TEC

Mission and Vision | Our Work | Our People | Our Board | Our Supporters

Our Work

W.TEC is a Nigerian non-governmental organization working for the economic and social empowerment of girls and women, using information and communication technologies (ICTs). We have chosen to focus on this area because statistical evidence has shown that in most African countries, women’s use and knowledge of ICTs (to store, share, organise and process information) is lower than men’s, denying them of income-generating opportunities and the chance to network with others.

W.TEC’s programmes will comprise of technology literacy training, technology-based projects, mentoring and work placement. W.TEC will also research and publish works examining pivotal issues related to how African women use technology, barriers preventing or limiting technology use, and strategies for more efficient technology use.

Our objectives are for Nigerian women to develop financial independence by: training for ICT-specific jobs, like computer engineer, programmer, system analysts, hardware and network specialists, designers; developing technology skills that can be used for other ICT-reliant jobs or self-employment. We also want women to develop skills and confidence to use ICTs for activism, learning, awareness-raising and advocacy for a better quality of life.

Our Goals

W.TEC will achieve this by:

Providing technology education for Nigerian women and girls so that they are able to use ICTs effectively for work, activism and networking
Producing innovative and ground-breaking research that supports the development and implementation of technology programmes for women and girls
Promoting and supporting the use of ICT in uplifting women’s rights
Establishing a network of technology-fluent alumni and mentors

W.TEC works in partnership with local and international NGOs, educational and research organisations. W.TEC programmes have been supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Fahamu, Laureates College, Omatek Computers, and Rutgers University’s Women in Computer Science Group.