Fusing technology with efforts to empower women and girls, the U.S. Department of State announced today that participants of TechWomen will meet in Jordan from February 1-10 to collaborate and connect through workshops and visits with local organizations. An innovative public-private partnership, TechWomen pairs emerging women in technology from the Middle East and North Africa with American women mentors from the greater Silicon Valley area.
TechWomen, which was launched by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2011, has brought almost 80 women from the Middle East and North Africa and the United States together for month-long mentorships. The program builds on Secretary Clinton’s vision of “smart power” — embracing the full range of diplomatic tools, in this case technology, to empower women and girls and foster greater understanding worldwide. This year, TechWomen will include emerging women in the tech sector from Sub-Saharan African countries. To learn more, click here.
In addition to engaging local partners, the TechWomen delegation will also meet with members of the first class of TechGirls, which Secretary Clinton launched in 2012, to engage girls ages 15-17 from the Middle East and North Africa who have displayed strong interest in the technology sector. To learn more about TechGirls, click here.
While in Jordan, the TechWomen will meet with entrepreneurs about e-commerce strategies and discuss career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the TechGirls. They will also meet members of civil society, who work to train women on how to use social media in their businesses and organizations. These TechWomen are also slated to host a networking conference for young women and girls in collaboration with Princess Sumaya University of Science and Technology.
