When compared to men, women still have lower access to the internet. A report commissioned by Intel on the access to, and use of the Internet in low and middle income countries indicated women are at a disadvantage. The report shows 25percent fewer women than men are online in developing countries. Intel has emphasized its commitment to bridging this gap with its Intel She Will Connect Programme.

The Intel She Will Connect Programme, in recent time, has been in the forefront of educating young girls and women on maximum contributions toward economic and social development across the world. At the recently concluded capacity building workshop on ICT for women journalists in Lagos, Nigeria, the country Managing Director, Intel West Africa, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare stated Intel’s dedication to bring about positive change in the African Girl Child.

Stressing the importance of educating the girl child, he said, “Here at Intel, we believe, and I’m sure we all agree, that smart girls are the equivalent of a smart world. What we seek to do, more than encouraging you all is to do your best in school and seize the opportunity to build a world where youths are inspired to be advocates for change.”

The Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Babatunde Akinola, explained that She Will Connect programme aims to close the gap for girls in terms of access to the internet and digital literacy. He restated that the company will provide technical resources and expertise to deliver digital literacy training, online peer networks and gender relevant content to empower young girls and women in Nigeria.

Technology and access to the internet is essential to women’s empowerment across the continent, and it’s key to overcoming barriers such as poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination. She Will Connect hopes to have reached five million women and girls across Africa by 2020, empowering them to get and stay online and help others like them, thereby reducing the gender gap by 50%.

L-R: Executive Director, Women in Technology in Nigeria, Martha Alade, Director of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor,  ‎Managing Director, Intel Corporation West Africa, Olubunmi Ekundare, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria (Partner), Ehizefua Edeh and Executive Director, Women Technology Empowerment Center (Partner), Oreoluwa Lesi at the Intel “She Will Connect” Media Capacity Training session with Female ICT reporters held at Lagos Island, 3rd June, 2015
A cross session of Nigerian Female ICT Reporters at the  Intel “She Will Connect” Media Capacity Training session with Female ICT reporters held at Lagos Island, 3rd June, 2015
Director of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor delivering keynote address on behalf of Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Omobolanle Ogunmola to Nigerian Female ICT reporters at the Intel “She Will Connect” Media Capacity Training session held at Lagos Island, 3rd June, 2015.