QUiTECH

QUiTECH (Queer in Tech)

The QUiTECH Initiative is YAEF’s flagship digital inclusion and economic empowerment program designed to bridge the digital divide affecting queer youth in Ghana. Recognizing that access to technology and digital literacy are vital pathways to economic and social mobility, QUiTECH creates inclusive, tech-focused opportunities that equip queer young people with the digital, technical, and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s innovation-driven world.

Through a blend of hands-on training, mentorship, and capacity-building workshops, participants gain skills in areas such as digital literacy, coding, creative design, social media management, online entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity awareness. These trainings not only open doors to decent employment and entrepreneurship but also enhance participants’ confidence and leadership in the digital economy.

Beyond technical skills, QUiTECH fosters safe and affirming digital spaces for advocacy, storytelling, and self-expression. It encourages queer youth to use technology as a tool for visibility, resilience, and social change—amplifying their voices and redefining how queer narratives are represented online.

At its core, QUiTECH envisions a future where queer youth are not left behind in the digital revolution—but are active creators, innovators, and changemakers shaping inclusive technological futures for themselves and their communities.

 

Objectives

  1. Digital Skills Training: Provide tailored training in coding, artificial intelligence (AI), data science, cybersecurity, and digital literacy.

  2. Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Support queer youth to design and launch tech-driven solutions addressing social, economic, and advocacy challenges.

  3. Cybersecurity & Digital Safety: Build capacity on safe digital practices to protect LGBTIQ+ youth from online harassment, cyberbullying, and surveillance.

  4. Advocacy Through Tech: Use digital platforms to amplify LGBTIQ+ voices, document lived realities, and influence inclusive policies.

  5. Networking & Mentorship: Connect queer youth with global and local mentors in the tech sector, fostering professional growth and leadership.