MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: UN Women and the African Union Commission in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, African Union International Center for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa, UNESCO, UNECA and UNICEF are launching the second phase of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). The programme aims to empower and equip 2,000 African women and girls between 17-25 with digital literacy skills over the course of four years, to put them on track to pursue careers in the ICT sector.
WHEN: 28th of April, 2022 from 9:30AM to 11:00AM EST
WHERE: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (Hybrid)
WHO: The AGCCI launch will bring together officials from the African Union CIEFFA. AUC Department of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, Government of Tanzania, UN agencies, private sector and AGCCI Alumni.
Speakers and presenters include:
- Hon. Prof. Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania Minister for Education, Science and Technology (TBC)
- Madame Cisse Mariama Mohamed, African Union Commission Director for Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development (HHSD)
- Ambassador Peter Van Acker, Ambassador of Belgium in Tanzania
- Zebib Kavuma, UN Women Deputy Regional Director, ESARO
- Awa Ndiaye, Special Representative of UN Women to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa and Head of the Liaison Office.
- Hodan Addou, UN Women Representative to Tanzania
- Zlatan Milisic, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Tanzania
- Tapiwa Uchizi Nyasulu Rweyemamu, Head of Division, Gender Policy and Development-AUC-WGYD
- Rita Bissoonauth, Head of Mission at the African Union/International Center for Girl’s and Women Education in Africa - AU-ESTI
- Jean Paul Adama, Director of Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Anne-Rachel Inne, Regional Director for Africa for International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Background
Research shows that only 30% of people engaged in STEM careers in Sub Saharan Africa are women. The 4th industrial revolution brings with it the fusion of the digital, biological, and physical worlds, as well as the growing utilization of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced wireless technologies, among others. If Africa misses to close the gender digital gap, we leave 50% of our population behind.
With this background UN Women together with AUC and ITU launched the first phase of AGCCI, in 2018 and trained 600 girls with digital skills, developed a gender and ICT mainstreaming guide into national curricula as well as established an e-learning platform.
In 2022 UN Women, AUC, ITU together with UNESCO, UNICEF and UNECA with financial support from the Government of Belgium will launch the second phase of AGCCI on April 28th 2022 in Dar es Salam. This high-level launch will bring together officials from the African Union CIEFFA, AUC Department of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, Government of Tanzania, UN agencies, private sector and AGCCI Alumni.
The second phase will be implemented in 11 countries namely; Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
Download Concept Note Here.
Download Launch Event Programme Here.
Join the conversation: Follow @AU_CIEFFA and @unwomenafrica on Twitter and share your messages using the hashtags #AfricaEducatesHer #AGCC2022 #GirlsInICT2022 #SheleadsTech #Girlsintech
For further information and/or interview requests, please contact:
Dukaye Mergia:dukaye.mergia@unwomen.org, Knowledge Management and Communications, UN Women Ethiopia
Anoziva Marindire:MarindireA@africa-union.org, Communications Officer, African Union CIEFFA
Hanna Mtango: hanna.mtango@unwomen.org, Communications Associate, UN Women Tanzania
