Google has launched 18 new Womenwill chapters across sub-Saharan Africa, including the first chapters to launch in South Africa, to start driving conversations promoting gender equality for the benefit of everyone.

With 25 chapters now in Africa, and more to launch in the next few weeks, Google aims to level the playing field for women and assist them in leveraging technology to build skills, becoming inspired and connecting with others through training, events and advocacy.

The new South Africa-based Womenwill chapters, which form part of a global initiative to create economic opportunity for women everywhere, advance women’s equality and close the gender gaps, are in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Polokwane and Pretoria.

“The gender gap could be solved if women have the same access to resources and skills acquisition sources as men. This is why we are bringing the Womenwill chapters to South Africa and continuing our focus on diversity and gender equality into 2019 and beyond,” explains Google South Africa communications and public affairs head Mich Atagana.

“Through Womenwill, we hope to enable South African women to take better advantage of the opportunities that mobility and connectivity bring, so that they can improve their lives and the lives of those in their communities.”

Google started the Womenwill initiative to create economic opportunity for women by connecting them to the online world and tools to make the most of it – from helping women in rural villages to having Internet access and bringing together women entrepreneurs to advocating for more inclusive workplaces and partnering with groups like United Nations Women to drive conversations around gender equality.

According to the Womenwill website, globally, more than half of all women – more than two-billion – lack access to the online world; women comprise half the world’s working-age population but generate only 37% of gross domestic product; only 36% of women hold leadership positions as legislators, senior officials and managers for every 100 men; and only 54% of working-age women take part in the formal economy, compared with 81% of men.

Womenwill offers several programmes, including Entrepreneurship, ‘Happybacktowork’, Internet Saathi, Lead and Work Culture Reform, to help women reach their leadership goals through online and offline skills training and networking events.

The initiative is currently active in Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and India.