Over 200 Secondary School students are set to benefit from a one day Information Communication Technology event organized under the auspices of the women of Microsoft West, East and Central Africa (WECA). The event dubbed “DigiGirlz” which was addressed by successful women in Information Technology field recently in Nairobi was mooted to sensitize the girls on the opportunities available in the ICT sector including career choices, connecting with women industry leaders while at the same time harnessing hands on computer experience. The initiative which comprises one of the pillars of Microsoft’s Corporate Social Responsibility and as well as the  company’s employee volunteer program was held on the back of the celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day held on the 8th of March every year. 

“A country cannot compete in an increasingly global ICT market if half of its talented citizens are not participating.  Microsoft is empowering women to influence and direct the ICT sector, which constitutes a central directive force in social development and economic growth, “said Ms Catherine Ngahu, Chairman of the Kenya ICT board.  She said exposing the girl students to technology opportunities provides a secure and ripe platform for them to pursue in the future and contribute to technological advancement in the country. This day is marked at multiple Microsoft locations worldwide and for the first time in Kenya with participation of girls from a cross section of Girls high schools based in Nairobi.  “This exciting event, allows students to interact with Microsoft employees and managers to gain exposure to careers in business and technology and to get an inside look at what it's like to work at Microsoft”, said Watau Nganga, chairperson, Women of WECA, WOW. “By participating in the Microsoft DigiGirlz Day, we hope that this initiative will encourage more young girls to pursue degrees and careers in computing science and computer engineering, with the ultimate goal of narrowing the gender gap in the industry.” The Women of WECA (WOW) is an organization composed of all women working in Microsoft West, East and Central Africa (WECA).  The Microsoft Employee Volunteer Program is designed to mobilize the pool of talent, expertise, and energy available from Microsoft employees and putting it to work in the community, via company-sponsored events and volunteer activities. The Women of Microsoft choose the Digigirlz event as a channel to demystify ICT to young girls in our local community. Available statistics indicate that Women are missing the increasing number of technology-related job opportunities and run the risk that technological developments will not be relevant to their needs.  Continued exclusion of women from ICTs implies that women will have few opportunities to influence the ways in which these technologies develop and affect their lives.  Moreover, the ICT industry is losing the talent of skilled women who can bring to it a richness and diversity of thought and perspective and can help alleviate the shortage of skills, which is exacerbated by their lack of participation.  Without women as an integral part of the workforce, the ICT industry is bereft of many potential contributors to the formulation of government and research policy and the development of technology that benefits communities as a whole and it is deprived of a broader set of perspectives in the design of critical information systems. The DigiGirlz day also received sponsorship from Computer Pride which has partnered with Microsoft to promote girl child education by imparting latest skills through quality training. Others who supported the initiative include Impact Distribution, Crescent and Next technologies.