TechWomen is an international exchange that uses technology to empower women and girls participating in North Africa and the Middle East.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will expand to Sub-Saharan Africa at the beginning of 2013. The goal is to provide women with technical skills so that they can compete for advanced positions within their field.

TechWomen also offers females working in the technology sector within Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zimbabwe the opportunity to visit the US for a 4-6 week mentoring program with American counterparts in the United States.

This specific mentorship program has been established to help women rise in their careers and become role models within their countries. Following the trip, U.S. mentors then travel to Africa to conduct workshops and follow-up training.

The following YouTube video promotes the experience of becoming a TechWomen mentor.

Last year 37 women from the Middle East and North Africa were selected to participate. In September 2012, the State Department is planning to bring 42 women from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen to the United States for the program.

More than 20 leading U.S. companies (AT&T, Adobe, Facebook, Google, Oracle, etc.) already participated in the public-private partnership with TechWomen.

The U.S. Department of State is currently accepting applications for its run in 2013. Those who are interested must fill out the application available on www.grants.gov.