Microsoft will launch a portal targeted at North African women in March as an offshoot of the MasrWorks IT skills portal. The portal is designed to empower young women to play a leadership role in their communities, build their skills and self-esteem, and introduce new models for self-employment. It will provide IT skills training and also softer skills training on topics including leadership, self-confidence and interviewing, as well as the mentorship needed to build a long-term career in technology. The mentorship will be provided through a sustained engagement between Microsoft, partners, a local NGO, and the beneficiaries to support them in career building and to plan their role in society as female leaders. The portal aims to reach 25,000 Egyptian women in the first year with the goal of helping 40 percent of those women improve their economic and societal position. Click here to read more: http://www.microsoft.com/africa/4afrika/female_empowerment.aspx