In preparation for the upcoming Women and the Web graduation in Kenya, this young woman visited the computer lab after hours so she could catch up on her lessons.

Keith Feher copyright 2015 Intel Corporation.

The Women and the Web Alliance is a public-private partnership to introduce women and girls to the transformative benefits of the Internet.

The Women and the Web Alliance was created in response to the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, where first ladies from over 30 African countries and the United States met to discuss the technology gender gap. Women in developing countries are 25 percent less likely to be online than men. 200 million fewer women have access to mobile phones. And a woman is 20 percent less likely than a man to own a bank account.

The power of digital media connects women and gives them a global voice. Technology has the power to create connections, foster learning, increase economic growth, and provide life-saving information. It can also help change social norms and stereotypes, and reduce inequality.

The Partnership

Women and the Web Alliance is a public-private partnership among USAID, NetHope, Intel Corporation, World Pulse, World Vision, UN Women, and Women in Technology in Nigeria.

The Alliance will create a ‘movement’ that addresses the Internet gender gap by bringing more than 600,000 young women online in Nigeria and Kenya in the next 3 years. The Alliance will introduce girls and women to the transformative benefits of the Internet.

This effort will expand opportunities for young women to generate greater income, receive a quality education, increase their sense of empowerment and equity, extend their support networks, and increase their political participation.

Catering students receiving Women and the Web Alliance training in Lagos State in Nigeria admire an Asus tablet from alliance partner Intel.

Women in Technology in Nigeria.

Goals & Objectives

Alliance partners will combine efforts to transform the lives and livelihoods of girls and women in Africa through:

• Digital literacy training which enables women to access hardware, software, Internet connectivity, and ongoing support. With mobile platforms, women can access new learning tools and programs.
• Producing content relevant to women in Nigeria and Kenya, including customized online resources for local and regional markets, health concerns, and political issues.
• Working with government bodies to bring awareness to the benefits of digitally-literate girls and women for the overall economy and development of the country
• Connecting Women and the Web Alliance participants to online social networks provides them a place to continue to grow their skills and networks after the initial training. The World Pulse platform at pairs participants with mentors in their country, matched by interest, and helps participants become mentors over time.

Partnership in Action

Partners World Vision and Women in Technology in Nigeria are training 300-500 women a month through in-person trainings in the fundamentals of computer literacy and online skills at 18 primary and secondary school computer labs in Kenya, and 22 Women And Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) centers in Nigeria, where women can take classes in a variety of vocational and educational subjects. In the Fall of 2015, Intel Corporation will be deploying an online version of the training.

Partners

USAID, NetHope, Intel Corporation, World Pulse, World Vision, UN Women, and Women in Technology in Nigeria.

Learn More

Women and the Web Alliance