The United States Consulate General has launched a project aimed at empowering 300 high school girls in Osun State to pursue education and careers in STEM fields.
According to a statement, through the project tagged ‘Osun Girls Can Code,’ the 300 schoolgirls will receive training on coding, web design, and product creation, all key skills needed in today’s increasingly competitive job market.
Speaking during the inauguration of the project in Osogbo, the US Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, said the six-month c apacity building programme would foster a supportive community where the young girls can receive mentorship, network and share internship opportunities in STEM fields.
Pierangelo said, “The United States promotes the rights and empowerment of women and girls in our foreign policy, and we have invested millions of dollars to advance gender equality across sub-Saharan Africa.
“When barriers to the participation of women and girls in STEM fields are removed, we all benefit. Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in the STEM fields is a US government priority.”
The statement also said 60 female STEM teachers from Osun State would receive training to help teach more effectively and on how to mentor women and girls about careers in tech fields.
It said the project would end with a pitch competition to showcase the participants’ achievements, with US Consulate representatives taking part on the panel and the winning schools receiving prizes.
– Punch