Sumaiyya Nyansige, now a Security Consultant, attributes her career success to the skills and connections she gained through the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). Participating in the program’s second cohort expanded her network. It linked her to potential employers, showcasing how mentorship and education can bridge the digital gender divide. This sentiment was echoed during the recent webinar “How Women are Shaping the Future of Technology,” organized by UN Women and Safaricom.
With over 200 participants, the webinar highlighted women’s vital role in driving technological innovation across Africa. Key stakeholders, industry leaders, and experts gathered to discuss the barriers and solutions for women in tech. A striking statistic shared during the event showed that globally, 69% of men use the internet compared to just 63% of women, translating to 259 million more men online than women.
Women’s Voices in the ICT Sector
UN Women Kenya’s outgoing Country Representative, Anna Mutavati, emphasized the importance of amplifying women’s voices in the ICT sector. She noted that platforms like this webinar create opportunities for women leaders to share their experiences, inspiring future generations of female technologists. Keynote speakers like Donna Rege, Senior Manager of IT Business at Safaricom, and Wanja Murekio, Regional Project Portfolio Manager at Old Mutual, shared insights into how collaboration and mentorship can drive inclusivity in tech.
Barriers to Digital Participation for Women
Despite advances in digital technology, women and girls in Africa face significant barriers to participation, including limited access to education and exclusion from decision-making spaces. Overcoming these challenges is essential for ensuring that women not only participate in digital spaces but also take on leadership roles in shaping the future of technology.
Initiatives Empowering Women in Tech
UN Women addresses these challenges through various initiatives, including the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). AGCCI equips girls aged 17-25 with the digital literacy, coding, and robotics skills needed to thrive in the tech industry in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the International Telecommunication Union, and Siemens.
The program’s holistic approach focuses on three key areas:
- Skills Development: Providing coding, robotics, and other technical skills training.
- Access to Equipment: Graduates receive laptops and six months of internet access to kickstart their tech careers.
- Mentorship and Networking: Participants are paired with mentors for six months, receiving technical and life skills training through the Siemens EmpowerHer Program.
Success Stories and Future Goals
In 2023, AGCCI trained 112 girls across Kenya’s 47 counties, each receiving a laptop, internet access, and mentorship. Success stories like that of Betty Mwende, an AGCCI alumna who used a $1,000 award from the Mastercard Foundation to teach digital literacy to children in Meru County, highlight the program’s impact.
Collaborative Efforts for an Inclusive Future
Key speakers, such as Anie Akpe, founder of African Women in Tech, emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders to define investment strategies and inclusive policies for women in ICT. Donna Rege of Safaricom added that creating a conducive environment for both boys and girls to thrive in ICT is essential for long-term success.
Anna Mutavati concluded by calling for efforts to foster environments that encourage women’s participation in tech, ensuring that they not only enter these spaces but lead from the front.
Conclusion
The African Girls Can Code Initiative and similar programs are crucial in bridging the digital gender divide in Africa. By equipping young women with the skills, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed, these initiatives are fostering a future where women are active leaders in the technology industry.
APO Group distributes it on behalf of UN Women – Africa.
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