Intel joins campaign for girls in technology

Silicone innovator and semi-conductor manufacturer, In­tel has joined the league of corporate bodies in Nigeria cam­paigning to bridge the gender gap in technology by promoting digital literacy and equipping girls for ca­reers in Science, Technology and Mathematics.

In furtherance of taht Intel partnered with a local child rights advocacy group, Founda­tion for Corporate Social Respon­sibility and Children’s Rights (CSR Children) on a symposium tagged “Preparing Girls for a Sci­entific Future”, in celebration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

Chief Executive Officer, CSR Children, Toyin Olakanpo, who welcomed guests to the event, observed that the socio-cultural, economic and political factors impeding equal access to sci­ence and technology education in sub-Saharan Africa remained unaddressed despite increased awareness over the past decade.

Olakanpo noted that, “At CSR Children, we have come to re­alise that the many obstacles to effective education of the girl child in Africa will not be sur­mounted by governments and their institutions. The challenge requires a firm commitment from socially responsible corpo­rate citizens who understand the dangers of having a huge part of our population unable to func­tion properly in a technology-dependent world.”

The Group Manager, Corpo­rate Affairs at Intel, Babatunde Akinola, who sat on a panel dis­cussing the importance of men­torship in breaking stereotypes about appropriate career paths for girls, highlighted Intel’s con­tributions to the quest for gender equality in the world of Science and Technology.

Akinola stated that, “We started “She Will Connect” with a mission to empower 5 million girls in the next five years.

“She Will Connect” Program aims to reduce the gender gap in technology all over the world through collaborations that would bring about an innovative combination of digital literacy training, an online peer network and gender relevant content.”

He added that, “We will con­tinue to lead the way in the drive for gender parity in the world of technology, equip young girls with and women with digital lit­eracy skills and an improved un­derstanding of technology.”

Students from Aunty Ayo Secondary School commended the Intel ‘She Will Connect’ ini­tiative, from which they had benefitted, while the Intel ‘She Will Connect’ Spokesperson for Nigeria, Titilope Sonuga noted that ‘She Will Connect’ will continue to empower young girls from their foundational stages, because exposure to technology and sciences can unlock creativity and inquisitiveness in young women.