KSH Foundation Wins IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge with “Girl Connect” Project
KSH Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging technology to bridge social gaps for early development, has achieved significant recognition in the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge for its project, “Girl Connect.” The foundation secured first place in the community enablement category and was also honored with a special prize for gender inclusion by USAID for their visionary plans with the Girl Connect initiative.
The IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge is an annual global competition that seeks solutions from start-ups, grassroots organizations, universities, or individuals with projects or ideas that offer unique ways to increase Internet access and usage for unconnected populations and to bridge the digital divide in innovative ways.
“We are thrilled to have our project selected as a winner amongst the many submissions that the challenge received, said Augustina Okpechi, Project Lead at KSH Foundation. “This recognition from IEEE and USAID is a validation of our commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all individuals, especially young women, have access to the opportunities provided by technology. We see this acknowledgment as a pat on the back, driving us to carry on with more determination.”
The Girl Connect project is a spin-off of KSH Foundation’s flagship project, EveryGirl. While EveryGirl focused on tech-enablement, Girl Connect aims to empower communities to choose to use the Internet where previously they did not by providing them with a means to access the Internet and educating them on the opportunities it offers, fostering a choice to embrace the digital world.
“The gender digital divide remains a key priority area for us at KSH Foundation, and in keeping with our founder’s vision, Girl Connect offers us the support and leverage to equip more girls in underserved communities across Nigeria with access to the empowering world of the internet and provide them with the tools to harness it’s potential to uplift themselves and their communities. We are grateful for the support from IEEE and USAID as partners for progress and look forward to delivering an impactful program”, Farida Yahya, Project Coordinator, EveryGirl.
Every Girl; Girl Connect will be launching in the second quarter of the year. For more information, please visit everygirl.com.ng.
