Dear Listers, The UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa is pleased to invite you to celebrate Women in Tech, during the International Women’s Day (IWD) event on 8th March 2018. The event is organised within the framework of the 2018 Nairobi Innovation Week. The IWD 2018 theme is *“Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.* This year’s theme echoes the priority theme of the upcoming 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, <http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw62-2018>which is* “Participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies* and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women. To empower and celebrate the Women in Tech, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa as one of the key partners in the Nairobi Innovation week, has organised three activities. 1. Women In Technology Mobile Apps Development training - Feb 26th to March 2nd 2018 2. hackathon challenge - 5 to 6 March 2018 3. International Women’s Day Celebrations (IWD) on 8th March, 2018- a parallel session under the theme "CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY THOUGH WOMEN AND GIRLS’ INNOVATION FOR A BETTER TOMORROw" . Venue, University of Nairobi Towers Activities during the IWD on 8th March include panel discussions with the following objectives:- 1. Maintaining a gender parity mind set in the world of Technology 2. Challenging gender stereotypes and bias against women’s involvement in Technology 3. Building confidence and encouraging women to pursue new careers in technology. 4. Addressing stereotypes on the role (or importance) of women in participation and decision-making. 5. Advocating gender mainstreaming and the rights of women in the tech industry. All the UNESCO organised events are taking place at the University of Nairobi Towers, 4th Floor, Mini Theatre 2. The panel discussions will be moderated by the Kictanet Co-convener- Ms. Grace Githaiga We look forward to your participation. Lydia [image: dotted_line] *Lydia Gachungi* Regional Communication Expert, Safety of journalists and Media Development Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Avenue, UNON, Gigiri P.O. Box 30592-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel.: +254 (0)20 762 22351 Mobile: +254 (0) 722803724 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/nairobi Twitter @LGachungi