Women in Technology (WIT) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State, managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) West Coast Center, and implemented in collaboration with local partners in nine countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Since its launch in 2005, WIT has trained over 1,500 women and built the capacity of 26 local women’s organizations in the Middle East.

WIT MENA delivers five core activities to WIT Partner Organizations and Participants:

• Professional Development Workshops
• IT Training through Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP) Curriculum
• Business Planning for Sustainability
• Professional Development Networks for Women
• Professional Exchange and Capacity Building

The Partner Organizations of WIT

IRAQ

Lead Partner: Al Amal Association, Baghdad
Al Amal was created in 1992 to help reconstruction efforts in Iraq after the first Gulf War. As an NGO, Al Amal aims to improve social conditions through projects focused on health services, education, conflict resolution, gender issues, and youth. Based on the success of their activities in Iraqi Kurdistan, Al Amal set up its head office in Baghdad in 2003 and extended its activities to the rest of the country. (In total, IIE currently works with 6 partner organizations in Iraq.)

LEBANON

Lead Partner: Women in Information Technology
Women in Information Technology is a Lebanese non-profit association,launched in June 2006, which serves as a platform for professional women to share and exchange information, toggle issues of concern, implement strategies, and search for opportunities—with the purpose of strengthening the capacity of all women through the usage of ICT. It is dedicated to inspiring more women to be willing and able to use the new technologies as a tool for their empowerment. In particular, WIT aims at encouraging more young women and girls to choose and prepare for ICT careers; and improving the lives of all women, their families and communities through the usage of ICT. (In total, IIE will work with 5 or more partner organizations in Lebanon.)

OMAN

Lead Partner: The Omani Women’s Association — Muscat, Buraimi, Salalah
The Omani Women’s Association (OWA) is an NGO with 45 chapters nationwide. Established in 1970, the OWA aims to provide support services to women seeking child care, education, and job training. The association’s most recent initiatives include programs in Capacity Building, Women’s Empowerment and Voter Education (WEAVE), and Women in IT. The organization also hosts a series of lectures on a variety of women-related topics. Headquarters are based in Muscat. (In total, IIE currently works with 9 partner organizations in Oman, and will add 6 more by 2008.)

SAUDI ARABIA

Lead Partner: College of Business Administration, Jeddah
Established in 2000, the College of Business and Administration offers a practical curriculum
designed to prepare students for direct entry into the labor market. Courses are offered in the following areas: Finance, Marketing, Management of Information Systems, Accounting, Management of Business Logistics, and Human Resources. The college’s main goals are to close the gap between education, job opportunities, and skills needed by business and non-business organizations and to provide its students
with knowledge, skills and attributes required for leadership and success in the local and global business environment. (IIE currently works with 2 partner organizations in Saudi Arabia.)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Lead Partner: General Women’s Union, Abu Dhabi
The General Women’s Union is comprised of five national women’s associations in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1975 by HRH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the UAE’s first lady, the organization seeks to empower women through activities focused on women’s health, economic advancement, education, society and religion. Headquarters are located in Abu Dhabi. (IIE currently works with 5 partner organizations in the UAE.)

YEMEN

Lead Partner: SOUL for the Development of Women and Children, Sana’a
A group of professional Yemeni women established SOUL in 1997. As a non-profit,non-governmental Yemeni organization, SOUL is committed to raising the quality of life of Yemeni women and children through development projects and partnerships with civil society, government and international organizations. SOUL conducts training and consultations, research, advocacy, awareness campaigns and service provision activities. SOUL has proven success and experience in implementing a variety of training programs for women, including in the field of Information Technology. (In total, IIE currently works with 5 partner organizations in Yemen.)

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