In order to close the gender gap in technology and promote digital inclusion, the TechGirl Mentorship Program—a Women and Girls for Technology initiative—has enrolled 50 secondary school girls in its most recent term, providing them with critical digital literacy, cybersecurity knowledge, and career mentoring in Malawi.
The program, which aims to inspire and empower girls to pursue professions in STEM and technology fields, began this term at a local school, with plans to expand to a second location. Organisers believe that this will dramatically increase the number of participants and broaden the program's impact.
“We start with a career talk at each school to spark interest and identify girls who are motivated to learn and willing to share knowledge within their communities,” Chisomo Kharis Mtonga, founder of Women and Girls for Technology, said. “Those who show a genuine interest in technology and a readiness to engage are then enrolled.”
The initiative combines hands-on ICT training, mentoring sessions with female experts from diverse industries, and career guidance workshops. These initiatives seek to show girls how digital tools intersect with fields such as business, finance, health, and entrepreneurship.
This term's training focused heavily on cybersecurity. The girls learnt about cyber hazards like phishing, hacking, online fraud, and identity theft. Trainers emphasised the significance of using secure passwords, being cautious online, and respecting personal privacy and dignity in digital spaces.
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