FAQ

Q: What is TechWomen?

A: TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from the Middle East and Africa together with their counterparts in the United States for a professional mentorship and exchange program. TechWomen connects and supports the next generation of women entrepreneurs in STEM fields by providing them access and opportunity to advance their careers and pursue their dreams.

Q: Why was TechWomen created?

A: Pairing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power diplomacy” with “21st Century Statecraft,” TechWomen works to empower women and girls through technology. It connects and supports the next generation of women in technology sectors by providing them the access and opportunity needed to pursue careers in technology.

TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Under Secretary Clinton’s leadership, the United States has engaged in “smart power diplomacy,” thereby utilizing every asset at the United States’ disposal to create opportunities for greater understanding. A key tool in this effort is 21st Century Statecraft, which engages people across the world through the ever-changing technology mediums.

Q: What are TechWomen's objectives?

A: TechWomen strengthens participants’ professional capacity, expands and diversifies networks of technology professionals in the Middle East and Africa region, fortifies partnerships and increases mutual understanding between key professional groups in the U.S. and the Middle East and Africa, and expands girls’ interest in STEM careers by exposing them to women role models in the field.

Q: Who will participate in the program?

The TechWomen initiative will identify women from the Middle East and Africa who are emerging leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields for a five-week program, including project-based mentorships at leading companies in California, workshops, networking events, a conference for women in the technology sectors, and meetings in Washington, D.C.

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 others in their countries, particularly for women.

Q: Where will TechWomen participants come from?

Mentorship participants will be selected from:

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Morocco
• Palestinian Territories
• Tunisia
• Yemen
• Cameroon
• Kenya
• Libya
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

When will TechWomen take place?

The 2013 mentorships will take place beginning October 1st, 2013 through November 6th, 2013.