It’s the final day of the Africa Summit on Women and Girls in Technology, (#TechWomenAfrica) holding in Accra, Ghana. The event serves as a forum for women to share their experiences and discuss novel ways they can play stronger roles in the tech world. The three day event kicked off on Tuesday and has seen plenty of interesting discussions so far.
Proud of the various discuss that has happened at the #TechWomenAfrica had great discuss with my ladies crew @YPlusYMCA about it and great to see how they relate with it and their ambitions as they make us rock kudos to our women making the diff
— Poncelet Ileleji (@Poncelet2) October 10, 2018
Like Day One, Day Two of the event sparked some very fiery discussions about the challenges women go through in the tech world.
It kicked off with a session on the roles of tech hubs and startup funding for women tech entrepreneurs. This was an exclusive discussion hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB). But attendance to the session was strictly by invitation, so we can’t say much about it.
It is interesting to note however, that the AfDB already has several programmes geared towards youth and particularly female empowerment. A few months ago, it announced it would partner with tech hubs across Africa that are sponsoring young African innovators.
What has your experience of the web been ❓
Below are some of the ways our 'Women and the Web' panel have benefit from the web: #TechWomenAfrica
— World Wide Web Foundation (@webfoundation) October 10, 2018
The main panel for day two of #TechWomenAfrica led a hot discussion on “Women and the Web.” The discussion was geared towards understanding both the desires and challenges that exist as women look to take advantage of the Internet. The panelists also discussed general issues women faced online and how they impact on them. It was indeed a pretty lively session.
[email protected]'s experience on the web was life-changing.
What has your experience on the web been? #TechWomenAfrica pic.twitter.com/BTS8hjlrHj
— World Wide Web Foundation (@webfoundation) October 10, 2018
Women and Web is a love story. These young women are moving lines in their country #TechWomenAfrica@webfoundation @OSIWA1 @internetsociety @A4A_Internet pic.twitter.com/auco8KtoGD
— Barkatou A SABI BOUN (@Aigleroyal229) October 10, 2018
"When I posted on issues, nobody would respond. When I post beautiful photos, people love that."@ChantalNare, Blogger and Web Activist, outlines how difficult it can be to have deep conversations online. #TechWomenAfrica pic.twitter.com/0x9oZinvqN
— World Wide Web Foundation (@webfoundation) October 10, 2018
'I challenged ‘harassers’ to use their real names/or take the conversation offline.'⁰
@kedukudzi, Economic Development Professional, Investor Saint PL#TechWomenAfrica pic.twitter.com/SjK6Lov8GR— World Wide Web Foundation (@webfoundation) October 10, 2018
Words can fail you to describe living through internet shutdowns and social media tax.@nyapru1 sharing the experiences of Women and the Web in Uganda, amidst these (ill-thought out) “policies”. #TechWomenAfrica
— Nanjira (@NiNanjira) October 10, 2018
Our experiences as women online are not necessarily safer because we are behind a screen, as @jossiemiliza points out. #TechWomenAfrica pic.twitter.com/hp66gyJbPX
— World Wide Web Foundation (@webfoundation) October 10, 2018
But it wasn’t all talk though as day two saw participants divided into three groups for three parallel workshops. These include: community networks, Wikipedia edit-a-thon, and the enhancing digital security workshop. The workshops hold each day, thus allowing participants to learn all and network too.
https://twitter.com/jabdulai/status/1050051306835111937
Workshop 2: Content Creation, Editing and Publishing. Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
What is @Wikipedia by @ZuZage#TechWomenAfrica @wikilovesafrica @Wikimedia pic.twitter.com/cuxXiyuRUr
— Mary Job (@maryojob) October 10, 2018
Post-bankufication session.
I’m joining the Wikipedia edit-a-thon, run by my awesome table neighbor @ZuZage. Hopefully leaving the session with a commitment to build more Wiki pages on women in The #Gambia. #TechWomenAfrica pic.twitter.com/QaDsdK7YHI
— Jollof Feminist From Cassamance (@TheJamaJack) October 10, 2018
Thursday marks the third and final day of the #TechWomenAfrica Summit. Although the sessions have been scheduled to be lighter than on previous days, we nonetheless look forward to another explosive day as African women meet to talk more tech.
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