American Center Maldives has launched a graphics and web design training program, aiming to empower girls and women.

GIDE, or ‘Girls In Digital Empowerment’, was launched on Monday evening by US Embassy Colombo’s Diplomacy Section’s Counselor for Press, Academic and Cultural Affairs, James L. Russo.

27 women will be taking part in the program, which will run for three months and is free for all.

According to the Center, the program “is a US Embassy funded grant awarded to Dhivtech with the objective of creating coders and IT savvy girls and women in Maldives”.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Russo noted that such programs will help shape their future, adding that empowering women to reach their full potential will be of benefit to all Maldivians.

The Embassy will award certificates to those that complete the program. Its next project with Dhivtech, also under GIDE, will be a mobile application development course.

US Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Officer, Melissa Paulsen attended the ceremony, as well as officials from Dhivtech and participants.

The US Embassy, which has always shown support for the Maldivian people, relaunched the American Center in June 2017. The center aims to “provide employment and leadership skills for young adults”.

Following the relaunch, it held a free English Enrichment Course, specifically on public speaking and writing skills.