As part of an effort to encourage young girls to get interested in computer science information and related fields, the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W. Tec) has trained and graduated over 20 girls who participated in their 2022 “She Creates” camp.
The two-week training which took place in Lagos came under the theme ‘Eco Innovators’ and it targeted girls between the ages of 13 and 18.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the girls, the executive director of W. Tec, Oreoluwa Lesi explained that the training focused on renewable energy as a method of addressing the present and future pressing technology requirements.
Enumerating courses the participants went through during the training, she said they include; electronics, software innovation, computer, creative arts, and team building among others.
On the idea behind the theme of this year’s edition, she said: ”I think it is in recognition of the fact that we have a lot of natural resources in Nigeria and we do not always use it.
“We also have a lot of power challenges, the prices of fuel and diesel have gone. We have a lot of sun in this part of the world.
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“So, we are looking at the sources we can use to generate the electricity and power that we need and that is the reason we came up with the theme, so as to educate the girls on how to use the sun to generate power.”
On the generally held believe that girls are not interested in sciences, technology and mathematics she said: “The traditional thinking that girls are not interested in mathematics, sciences and technology, is wrong, boys and girls are all interested, but when the girls get to certain stage in life may the age of 13, because of societal stereotypes which believe that boys should do certain things and girls should not do discourage girls from pursuing technology and science related fields. Girls have the capability to study technology and sciences, what they need is encouragement from parents and teachers’’.
She recalled that evaluation of previous “She creates’’ camps shows enhanced leadership skills, creativity, problem solving and communication abilities in their alumnae as a result of participating.
On the other hand, she advised girls to shun vices associated with the social media and remain focused.
Some of the participants who spoke during the event lauded the organisers of the event for giving them opportunity to learn skills that will transform their lives.
They described the two weeks training as an opener and added that it had further motivated them to study science and technology related courses in the universities.
