Emerging young women leaders head for TechWomen seminar in US

Some five Cameroonian participants in the TechWomen program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State have embarked on a five-week mentorship trip to the United States.

The five weeks will be spent in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay area, where they will engage in project-based mentorships at leading companies headquartered in the region. These include Semantec, Twitter, Santa Clara University, and Oracle Solaris. The program will provide professional development workshops and networking events; and include a visit to Washington, D.C. for targeted meetings and special events.

Speaking during a pre-departure orientation session, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer in Cameroon Roberto Quiroz II, lauded the achievements of participants, noting that: “The Tech Women program underscores the United States’ commitment to promote women’s entrepreneurship and to partner with young leaders like you.

Your ideas and efforts will serve as a role model and empower many other young people, especially women and girls.”

“As President Obama has said, no nation which seeks to advance – including the U.S. – can do so without the immense talents and contributions of women. We are honored that you have accepted the opportunity to participate in this program where you will not only partner with American professionals, but also expand your network of contacts with participants from other nations whose aspirations mirror your own,” Quiroz added.

On her part, Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy Cameroon, Gladys Shang Viban, encouraged the young women to put their best foot forward, to explore new avenues and bring back to Cameroon lessons learned. This is Cameroon second batch of women in this prestigious program.

The TechWomen program brings emerging women leaders from Africa and the Middle East together with their professional counterparts in the United States for a mentorship and exchange program to empower, connect, and support the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The come together provides participants with access and opportunity to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and become role models for women and girls in their communities. Participants are women who are engaged or rising in professional careers that require significant expertise and knowledge of STEM fields and/or innovative application of these skills, and who already are —or show promise of being— role models for women and girls.

During their stay in the US, each Emerging Leader will be paired with a Professional Mentor who will work closely with her to carry out a project at the host company. Before the participant arrives in California, she is in close contact with her Professional Mentor. Together, they work to design an exciting project of mutual interest.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton first announced the TechWomen initiative on April 28, 2010 during President Obama’s Entrepreneurship Summit.

In June 2011, TechWomen launched with 37 participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and the Palestinian Territories. In 2012, the program expanded to include women from Tunisia and Yemen. In 2013, the cohort doubled in size with the addition of women from Cameroon, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.