For over 15 years, IREX has trained girls and young women in technology and ICT leadership in more than a dozen countries. On this second annual Girls in ICT Day [14], we honor the talented young women participating in two of our programs, Bibliomist [15] and Tech Age Girls [16].
“Find Yourself” Bibliomist Library Story
With a few computers and determined librarians, a local library in Ukraine is equipping teenage girls with vital IT skills to empower themselves, enhance their education and expand their career opportunities. The girls in the library’s “Find Yourself” club received training in basic computer and internet skills, many working with computers for the first time. The girls also mastered social networks as a vital tool for communication with their peers and for broadening their outlook. Now, all the club members are registered in the popular social networks and are proficient in using email and internet search techniques for their studies. The girls are much more independent in using internet to find the necessary academic information and to communicate online without relying entirely on the help from the library staff.
One of the club members, Angelina Guz, said “When I came to the library and started using the computer for the first time, I felt ill at ease, as I have only heard about new technology before. So when I was introduced to the computer equipment, I was a rookie. [Librarian] Mariya Valeriyivna first taught me to use the computer, and later demonstrated the possibilities of the internet. Now I am a proficient user.” Ganna Lut, another club member, was not new to computers, but through the training at the library reported “Nowadays, I can find all the necessary information, do my homework, and prepare research papers independently. The possibility to print out materials at the library is also awesome! The resources at the library are of great help, as I am going to apply to a pedagogical college.”
Bibliomist is a five year IREX program that equips libraries with computers and helps librarians implement new services.
Tech Age Girls Project Highlight [16]:
Tech Age Girls (TAG) is an innovative project that addresses the underrepresentation of skilled women in the IT field by encouraging and training young female leaders. Through TAG, girls at the age ranging from 12 to 16 advance their technical skills, learn from successful female leaders, and lead community service projects for the benefit of their communities. Since 2005, TAG was implemented by IREX in six countries: Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. In 2012, the TAG project will expand to Vietnam and the Philippines. Over 1,000 girls have participated and in turn they have reached more than 30,000 other individuals through their training and service.
Through intense IT and leadership training TAG addresses limited opportunities for women caused by traditional, religious or other reasons. A recent survey of participants confirmed relevance and necessity for such projects for inspiring young girls for further education, career and promoting their active participation in their communities’ development. Sabina Ibragimova, TAG’08 alumna from Mary, Turkmenistan said “Girls in my city, and especially girls in rural areas, do not have access to computers. They do not realize the concept of leadership. I strongly believe that girls, who will grow into women, should have strong skills in both areas to make a career and become rightful society members.”