DigiGirlz is a Microsoft YouthSpark program which gives middle and high school girls opportunities to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
Microsoft Ghana partnered with Airtel Ghana through it’s Evolve with STEM initiative for the first Ghana edition of DigiGirlz day.
DigiGirlz day took place at the iSpace Hub in Labone and had about 60 girls participating in the program. The program brought in to mentor the girls, Lucy Quist; Managing Director of Airtel Ghana, Elizabeth Patterson; founder and director of Girls Education Initiative of Ghana, Anita Erskine; founder of Brand Woman Africa, a media entrepreneur, TV & Radio host, Anne Amuzu; co founder Nandi Mobile, Larissa Bowen-Dodoo; founder of Levers in Heels, Florence Toffa; Director of Mobile Web Ghana and founder of Fime Project and others.
The DigiGirlz are now learning how to code. #EvolveWithSTEM #MakeWhatsNext @MicrosoftAfrica pic.twitter.com/5JALIG87GY
— Airtel Ghana (@airtelghana) April 16, 2016
Girls learn to code #LetGirlLearn #MakeWhatsNext pic.twitter.com/J0UpoN0JaE
— The Exploratory (@GirlSciExplore) April 16, 2016
Anne @Ewoenam takes the young ladies through Safe Internet tips. #EvolveWithSTEM #MakeWhatsNext @MicrosoftAfrica pic.twitter.com/rs8icHi6o4
— Airtel Ghana (@airtelghana) April 16, 2016
These mentors shared inspiring personal stories that’ll bring belief, empower and challenge the young future leaders to go into the technology industry. There was also an Hour of Code session where participants were taught how to code in HTML. The break out sessions dealt with topics like Effective and safer internet usage, Scams and email messages, Why STEM is important,
#MakeWhatsNext! #InspireToMakeWhatsNext! Having a powerful time at the #Digigirlz camp in Accra with @microsoft! pic.twitter.com/uPWGzs4e6B
— Anita M.V. Erskine™ (@TheAnitaErskine) April 16, 2016
Derek Appiah Microsoft country manager about the program said;
Microsoft is committed to encouraging more women to join the ICT industry and we are inviting Ghanaian high school girls to discover the opportunities that exist for them in our industry. We want to demystify any belief that STEM is for boys so as to ensure that they make the right education choices now for the bright future that they deserve
Girls learn to code #LetGirlLearn #MakeWhatsNext pic.twitter.com/J0UpoN0JaE
— The Exploratory (@GirlSciExplore) April 16, 2016
Airtel Ghana’s managing director Lucy Quist said;
It’s been an exciting time spent with all the participants of DigiGirlz today. I am encouraged by their curiosity, passion and determination throughout the session.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is an enabler for creativity and problem solving in young people which is why we launched the Evolve with STEM initiative to inspire belief, empower and transform mindsets of young people towards STEM.
We are proud to be associated with DigiGirlz, which aligns with Evolve with STEM. It is great to see organizations like Microsoft, a technology giant, support initiatives to empower young people through STEM
Source Airtel Ghana, Myjoyonline,
