Since 2012, TechGirls trained and mentored 238 teenage girls (ages
15-17) from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian
Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen.  The core of the program is a
three-week experience in the United States.  In 2019, the program
expanded to include 24 young women from Central Asia (Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.)

TechGirls participate in an interactive technology and computer camp
(with US Girls), join a tech company for a day of job shadowing, and
participate in community service initiatives. There is a TechGirls multiplier effect – inspiring others in their local community to pursue Stem.

TechGirls is packed with skill-development workshops and interactions with America’s most innovative tech professionals as
well as 45 hours of study at a Tech Camp with our partner the Center
for Enhancement in Engineering Diversity at Virginia Tech. 
The TechGirls program offers  a rich cultural immersion experience,
improves the participants’ ability to enter tech fields and encourages
them to pursue higher education in fields where women are
under-represented.

TechGirls is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) mission is to
increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States
and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural
exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations.  The
program is administered by Legacy International.

TechGirls is a comprehensive, customized program that equips
participants with tech skills to meet the demands of the growing
industry, as well as the soft skills to enable them to apply what they
have learned to the issues of their local communities. Follow-on
community-based projects are designed to reinforce and support the
skills and linkages acquired during the U.S. program, provide additional
young women back home with tech training, promote community engagement,
and set young women on educational and career tracks.

Click here to read our Impact Stories

The TechGirls program:

• Improves participants’ ability to enter tech fields and gain access to higher education.
• Connects TechGirls with tech professionals in mentoring relationships.
• Enables participants to implement a concept/idea/model learned during the program in their home country.
• Increases access to resources and networks that support their interests and educational goals.
• Increases participants’ usage of on-line venues for collaboration between U.S. and MENA peers.
• Increases virtual and real -time collaboration on ways to address
  societal issues (i.e. employment opportunities, engaging youth in
  service, public health awareness, etc.).
• Increases commitment to civic engagement and participation.
• Equips participants for implementing follow-on activities in their
  home communities that support their future academic and professional
  goals in the technology field.