Research, Policy & Discourse

W.TEC conducts research into the gender gap in science, technology, and engineering and uses this research to create awareness among government agencies, corporations, educational authorities and the wider public about the gender inequities, which exist within technology and propose strategies and collaborations for closing this gap.

RESEARCH

W.TEC’s research centers on the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

WTEC publishes primary data based on findings from our programmes. We also curate secondary data in readable factsheets and infographics.

Other research projects include Radio for Women’s Development: Examining the Relationship between Access and Impact (Case Study). This project was funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) and administered by Carleton University, Canada. The findings of this research project were a key resource in setting-up Nigeria’s first women-focused radio station – WFM 91.7

To see other publications that emerged from W.TEC’s research, please visit: https://wteconline.org/publications/

POLICY

W.TEC has made significant in-roads in contributing to public policy. W.TEC worked as part of a sub-committee of Gender, Science, Technology and Innovation experts, to review and help re-draft parts of the science and technology policy. W.TEC was also invited to join a team of experts to draft a policy document for broadband deployment in Nigeria and which would form the preliminary document of the National Broadband Plan.

W.TEC leverages on our our primary research (based on data collected from our training programmes) and secondary data (collated from other sources) for our advocacy work. We create awareness of the scope of the gender inequities within technology using factsheets and infographs produced from our research and start conversations with state actors and other stakeholders to advocate for appropriate policies and interventions.

Recent policy advocacy engagemenst include:

Advocacy Visit to Lagos State Ministry of Education: W.TEC paid an advocacy visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Education in July 2023, where we met with the Permanent Secretary and several key directors within the Ministry. W.TEC shared information about the gender gap that exists in STEM globally and in Nigeria. We also shared the work that W.TEC has been doing over the last 15 years to help close this gap, as well as the impact of our programmes. We made the case for greater partnership with the State and the Education Ministry to make training opportunities more widely available across Lagos State.

Read more: https://wtec.org.ng/celebrating-15-years-of-empowerment-a-memorable-advocacy-visit-to-lagos-state-ministry-of-education/

Consultative Working Group on the Implementation of Inclusive Digital Transformation in Lagos: The Inclusive Digital Transformation implementation project is an extension of the Digital Access Programme (DAP) aimed at providing technical assistance to each state in planning, developing and implementing state-specific inclusive digital economy interventions for growth and development. W.TEC’s participation alongside other stakeholders involves co-creating a strategy framework and action plan, intended to help advance the digital transformation efforts of the Lagos State government.

DISCOURSE

WTEC curates high-impact events to discuss the scope and dimensions of the STEM gender gap. These discussions and learning fora have provided platforms to exchange and build knowledge and facilitate new partnerships.

W.TEC discourse activities include over 10 successful events at AfricaNXT (formerly Social Media Week Lagos) since 2014:

Panel discussion at AfricaNXT 2023 on“Conquering Poverty With Tech: Women & The Next Decade” [Link to https://wtec.org.ng/w-tec-host-event-at-africanxt-2023/ ]
Panel discussion at AfricaNXT 2022 on The Future of Women and work in Africa” [Link to https://wtec.org.ng/w-tec-host-event-at-africanxt-2022/ ]
Panel discussion at Social Media Week Lagos 2020 titled Women Build Technology Too
Masterclasses at Social Media Week Lagos 2018 and 2019 on Online Fundraising Strategies and Storytelling for Amplifying Social Impact
A panel discussion at Social Media Week Lagos 2017 on Parenting in an Era of Technology
One panel discussion and one debate at Social Media Week Lagos 2016 on The Connected Business Woman and Social Media in Schools
Two discussion events at Social Media Week Lagos 2015 on Smart Mobile Divas and Where Are the Women?
One panel discussion at Social Media Week Lagos 2014 on Doing Business the Social Way.

All events had the venues filled to capacity with very energised and excited audiences; and we all enjoyed the interesting and enlightening discussions among the speakers. W.TEC also hosts webinars on topics centered around women, STEM, education, entrepreneurship and related subjects.

Research, Policy & Discourse