IWD 2021: Google pledges $25m to empower women in Africa

Google has pledged $25 million in its Global Impact Challenge (GIC) to women and girls in Africa.

Towards marking the 2021 International Womens’ Day (IWD), the tech giant made an open call for applications for grant funding in a gesture the organisation said is part of its commitment to empowering African women and girls.

It said it will give the sum to nonprofits and social enterprises creating prosperity pathways for women and girls.

It is understood that organisations have until 11:59 pm GMT on April 2 to submit their applications. An all-female panel of Google executives and business leaders are expected to then preside over the review and selection process.

The panel spans Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women; Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs; Graça Machel, founder, Graça Machel Trust.

Also among the members of the selection and review panel is Juliana Rotich, a Kenyan infotech entrepreneur.

Grantees, who will be announced later this year, will be eligible to receive funding ranging from $300,000 to $2 million while the selected organisations will also receive capacity-building support and mentoring from Googlers.

The grant follows initiatives like the 2019 Africa launch of Women Will which sought opportunities for women and the #IamRemarkable workshop series that fought the idea that women shouldn’t celebrate their achievements.