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Webinar: December 12 , 2013

Women in Tech – An African Perspective. Webinar: December 12 , 2013. Today’s Co-Host & Speakers. Nomsa Muswai Mwayenga. Unoma Okorafor. Lisa Obradovich. Global Programs Manager NetHope (Milwaukee, USA). Ph.D. Computer Engineering

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Webinar: December 12 , 2013

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  1. Women in Tech – An African Perspective Webinar: December 12, 2013

  2. Today’s Co-Host & Speakers • Nomsa Muswai Mwayenga • UnomaOkorafor Lisa Obradovich Global Programs Manager NetHope (Milwaukee, USA) • Ph.D. Computer Engineering • Founder, WAAW Foundation2013 Anita Borg Change Agent • (Nigeria) • Network Engineer (Zimbabwe)

  3. How WTC Works Mentors: Corp IT Women, NGO Women IT Pros, Expat Technical Women Retired Women IT Execs Protégés: NHAcademy Interns/Grads NGO IT women pros, College Age Vo-Tech women in dev. world

  4. 2013- Year In Review • 198 mentoring program participants from 43 countries working at 80+ organizations! • Webinar Topics • Mentor/ Protégée Best Practices • How to Map Your Plan for Success and STAY • Your Leading Presence • Demystifying Implementation Strategies • Teach the Web – How to get young girls and women interested in IT • 3 Ps of Power – Position, Performance, People • Women in Technology – An African Perspective • Participants felt connected, inspired, more educated, happy to give back to young women starting their careers!

  5. 2014 – Get Inspired • Want to feel inspired? To learn? To get involved? • Communities & Programs • Anita Borg Institute (ABI) • Lean In • Hour of Code - http://csedweek.org • Grace Hopper Celebration • Articles • Amazing Women honored by ABI for Leadership, Social Impact, and Education (Including today’s presenter, Dr. UnomaOkorafor!) • Most Powerful Women in Tech, 2013 • 30 Important Women Under 30 • 10 Women to Watch in Tech

  6. Getting Started • You are surrounded by a community of women (even if you can’t hear them speaking on this call) that want to hear from you and learn from you today! • Please try to actively participate in today’s session… You will find that the more you put in, the more you will get out. • Questions – post your question in the chat window any time during the presentation.

  7. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND • NETWORK ENGINEER • FOUNDING MEMBER, TRUSTEE & SECRETARY– ISOC ZIMBABWE CHAPTER www.isoc.org.zw • BSC COMPUTER SCIENCE - UNISA • CCNA, CCNP • USTTI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT -2011 • IETF FELLOW – 2012 • http://www.internetsociety.org/articles/different-experiences-common-goal-isoc-fellows-ietf-84 • AFFILIATIONS • AFCHIX , ABI , NETHOPE, DIPLO FOUNDATION

  8. My Story • My journey • My family background • The challenges I faced and how I overcame them

  9. So why did I choose IT ? The employment environment in Zimbabwe • The reason why I am an IT professional • My interest in IT…The Internet!!

  10. Zimbabwean Women in Tech CHALLENGES ADVANTAGES Courage and bravery Inspiration to other women Opportunity of empower communities Success makes you stand out even more • Skills deficit • The profession is “meant” for men • Associated with being weaker • Failure is overstated • You cant be a typical lady • Underestimated • No mentors HOW TO ENGANGE MORE WOMEN 1)MORE SKILLS!!!!!! 2)MORE MENTORS 2)MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

  11. Mentorship • How vital is mentorship and are mentors • Readily available to you?? • My Mentor • How we met • Why mentors are • important • My Mentees • How I mentor them

  12. LET’S DO IT LADIES !!! Stay relevant Be yourself Get qualified

  13. WORK /LIFE BALANCE WORK + FAMILY + GENERAL LIFE T – Is it true H – Is it helpful I – Is it inspiring N - Is it necessary K – is it kind FAMILY • HOW MARRIAGE CHANGES MOST THINGS • PREGNANCY • RAISING A CHILD AS A WORKING WIFE

  14. CLOSING REMARKS WHY IT MATTERS • BECAUSE IT CHANGES EVERYTHING!!! • BECAUSE WE ARE PAVING WAY FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION MY ADVISE • When not sure about your career choice • When skills are not accessibly from your country or region ANY QUESTIONS / COMMENTS ??

  15. My Brief Story • 1. Grew up in small University town in Nigeria – Father was a Professor, mother was a high school principal. • 2.First experience in college in Nigeria with expectation for “girls to be seen and not heard” • 3. Privileged to have support of family to study STEM and Engineering. Brother as role model. • 4. Arrived in the USA on a scholarship for Masters – realized my education was hugely inadequate (obsolete textbooks, rote learning, lack of innovation). Questioning how to overcome my limitations…. Unoma Okorafor Ph.D. in Computer Engineering Founder, WAAW Foundation2013 Anita Borg Change Agent

  16. The Power of Mentors • 1. Mentors have been key for me. Link to resources like scholarships, networks, etcHOD, Classmates, professors, friends, co-workers, Company CEO, Men or Women – Don’t be Afraid to engage and let people know what you want! • 2. Networks for women in Tech is so crucial because it gets lonely. Share experiences (work-life balance), build a bond. Women thrive in communities. • 3. Experience in both worlds, always think about how much impact this can have in Africa. How to mentor others. • 4. First experience being called a mentor was humbling. Wherever you are, you too can mentor someone • Q. How many people have had mentors or mentored others? How did it start out? Mentors are key!

  17. The Power of Technology& Women • 1. Did u know.. 80% of jobs in next 10 years will require STEM Skill. How are we preparing? • 2. Technology is not just the hip thing to do. It enables change, helping us do things better. (e.g. cell phones, online learning, banking, e-health or how we work from home.. Heck this webinar!) • 3. Women are huge consumers and should be engaged in all aspects of creating, implementing & evaluating technology. • 5. Women are custodians of education, ripple effects impacts their children & community. • 4. Technology is moving so fast. How do we engage? Technology and Women!

  18. Our Mission • Founded in 2007, while a Ph.D. student with stipend. Motivated by desire to help others like me, because of personal experience. • Change the face of Africa to the world - Tired of seeing Africa as a taker not a giver. • “Made in Africa” rather than “aid to Africa”

  19. We believe: that education is the key to alleviate poverty, girls are the most powerful force to effect lasting change and that technology is one of the most powerful tools to bring about economic growth in Africa. • Our Vision: Use Technology and Women to eradicate poverty in Africa. • Engage with girls at a young age where they are making career decisions.

  20. We hear “Math is hard”, “Its not relevant” and “When I see an invention, I think a genius created that… now I can create too” • Expose options and provide opportunity to explore innovation • Challenges we encounter:- Self Esteem, Pre-conceived ideas about girls in STEM (No marriage, etc)Lack of support from family and community (Why do such a difficult course) • Poverty leading to early marriage, economic or sexual exploitation, ect • Lack of role models and peer support communities

  21. 11-17years • OUR PROGRAMS • 1 . Robotics Camps • 2. Scholarships3. College-to-Secondary Mentoring • Define STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Math • 18-32years • College & professional women

  22. STEM Camp for Secondary Girls • Tenet #1: Employ locally available resources to teach STEM and demonstrate that solutions to problems in our communities exist within and around us. • Immerse pubic school girls in intense hands on STEM learning – Robotics and Renewable Energy residential camp launched this year. Try not to import expensive technology toys where possible. Girls empowered to see themselves as leaders

  23. $500 Scholarships for College Girls in STEM • Tenet #2: Africans are the ones to solve Africa’s challenges.We support need based girls in Africa to do just that and require scholars to become fellows who mentor younger secondary girls!

  24. College-to-Secondary Mentoring Program • Tenet #3: Build an ever increasing pipeline. Help someone BUT teach them to turn around and help others coming behind to be sustainable. Have 6 Cells in 5 African countries Ghana (Kenya(2) , Malawi, South Africa, & Nigeria) – Cell is self organizing 9 – 15 STEM college girls that partner with 3 – 5 secondary schools, monthly outreach into classrooms. WAAW provides curriculum, training, tools and small stipend to cover transport etc

  25. Question? • Has anyone done Primary or Secondary outreach? • What kinds of things make a difference? • While in school or after school, what are your ideas of how to stay involved in mentoring and outreach? Please share on the chatboard.

  26. WHERE WE WORK& OUR IMPACT SO FAR SCHOLARSHIPAll Sub Saharan Africa9 Scholarships since 2007 STEM OUTREACH:Currently in 5 African countries, looking to expand into more.Over 4000 youth impacted since 2013 STEM CAMPNigeria Over 30 girls impacted Launched In 2013

  27. African Women in Technology (Work in Progress) • Just launched platform at www.africantechwomen.org • Professional women in government, industry and government and college students. • Platform where African women in technology are recognized and celebrated, personal stories are told. • Build community and networks for support • Provide access to mentors and role models. • Provide a strong voice for African Women in Tech.

  28. A PERSONAL MESSAGE • Very exciting work going on around the globe. NetHope academy, internship program and partnerships. • Each of us can make a difference in our communities with what we have and where we are!- My story is proof! Anyone can make a difference! • - All those girls in STEM outreach all over Africa are going it. • - Start seeing yourself as a mentor and game changer. • Why Am I Angry? Passionate?- Its ok to be angry if it motivates you to action. • “Well behaved women rarely make History”. • Thank you to Lisa and Net Hope for this awesome opportunity! Please connect with me on linkedin and send me questions if you have them or just for the heck of it!

  29. TO LEARN MORE Mentors: Corp IT Women, NGO Women IT Pros, Expat Technical Women Retired Women IT Execs Watch this video….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHI6mx3826g&feature=youtu.be

  30. Any Questions? Comments?

  31. Wrap-Up/ Next Steps Identify: • 3 Key Learnings from today’s Webinar for you • 1 Action you can take in the next 24 hours towards forwarding your career planning • Use the Mentor Program Resource Hub – It’s open to EVERYONE • www.womenstechconnect.org Participate: • Join our “NetHope Women’s TechConnect” LinkedIn Group • Post questions and additional insights in our Linked In Discussion Forum immediately! Discuss & Grow: share your learnings with your mentoring match or a professional contact who you trust

  32. Thank You for Coming! Women’s TechConnect is YOUR community • Host or participate in a future webinar • Contact us to be a speaker for our upcoming webinar featuring WTC Mentoring pairs • Share webinar topic ideas • Participate in LinkedIn Discussion Groups • Share Templates or White Papers for our WTC Resource Hub • Become a Mentor • Become a Protégée Questions? Comments? Need support? Reach us at wtcsupport@nethope.org

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