As one of the facilitators at the recent MS Office workshop, I’m excited to share the amazing journey we had with these incredible girls. In today’s digital world, being tech-savvy is no longer a luxury but a necessity. However, not everyone has equal access to learning opportunities, especially young girls who are often underrepresented in the tech industry. Recognizing this gap, Prime IT Club, in collaboration with Voices of Women Media, recently organized a 6-day workshop aimed at empowering 11th-grade girls of Kanya Mandir School with vital MS Office skills.
From the very beginning, our mission was clear: to equip these young girls with the essential MS Office skills necessary to thrive in a technology-driven world. We kicked off our journey with an exploration of Microsoft Word, where participants delved into the world of formatting tools and design elements while crafting beautiful newsletters that reflected their unique voices. It was extremely uplifting to watch their imagination come to life.
As the workshop progressed, we navigated through the intricacies of Excel, learning spreadsheet basics and even venturing into the realm of family budgets. Watching these girls tackle complex calculations with precision and finesse was truly awe-inspiring.
But the journey didn’t end there. We then delved into the world of PowerPoint, where the girls polished their presentation skills. We watched as they made creativity run through captivating slideshows describing why they aspired to be like their role models. And let’s not forget about the artistic flair of MS Paint, where digital artistry flourished in vibrant colors and imaginative designs.
Each day brought new challenges and new opportunities for growth. The feedback we received from our participants was overwhelmingly positive, echoing sentiments of increased confidence, readiness to embrace technology, and a newfound sense of empowerment.
“I liked the workshop because they provided so much knowledge. They helped us get familiar with MS Office and enhanced our knowledge for the future.”
“The workshop improved my knowledge and self-confidence. I expect this workshop will help me in the future.”
“Instructors created a friendly environment so that we could learn and gain knowledge.”
“When you both have time, please come and meet us”
Reading this feedback from the girls, my co-instructor, Nirjala Shakya, and I shared a similar sentiment. We knew these six days had been significant and felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that we had made a positive difference in their lives. Witnessing their growth and newfound confidence over six days was inspiring. This experience reaffirms our commitment to gender equality in tech and leaves us excited for the bright futures these girls will create.
Reflecting on the success of our workshop, one thing is abundantly clear – the journey towards gender equality in the tech industry is well underway. Through education, opportunity, and mentorship, we are paving the way for a future where every aspiring technologist, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Facilitators:
