#Connected2016: Have more exemplary women figures in the new education curriculum

This was said by Catherine Wanjiku Ngahu, Chairperson,Universal Service Advisory Council, during a Women in ICT networking session held at the connected Summit, themed She will connect to bridge the women in ICT leadership.

“Growing up our education system has always portrayed women as inferior. For example in Mathematics Jane was always referred to as a petty trader while Tom owned a fleet of cars. If we need to drive up take of STEM careers among the young girls, we need to change that and give women a better perspective. We calling on the ministry of Education as they review the old education curriculum, that they will have more exemplary women involved in the new curriculum,” said Ms. Ngahu.

Also during the summit, some key highlights on barriers that are holding women back in ICT, which included lack of mentors and lack of education and enlightenment, for the young girls seeking to take up careers in ICT.

Also women were called upon to strengthen and support collaboration for women in STEM. The women who are already pursuing a career in STEM need to collaborate and network so as to strengthen the support network. And there were calls to trickle down mentorship not only in Nairobi but also across other counties.

Ms. Rose Maghas CEO Greenbelt Technologies who was also among the panellists, also called upon women to grab opportunities in ICT so as to achieve gender equality. “Opportunities are there all women need to do is to apply so as to achieve gender equality. We need to be comfortable in our skins to become achievers,” she said.

There is a push for policy changes to be made so that more girls can be aware of the opportunities that are available in pursuing STEM careers. In 2015, The Women in STEM Kenya have begun a mentorship program that is geared towards high school and primary school girls in a bid to encourage them to gain interest in STEM subjects.

The Women in ICT networking session, now in its third year is part of Connected Summit. Now in its eighth year The Connected Summit, is the brainchild of ICT Authority in consultation with ICT industry players and key government decision makers .The connected summit first held in 2009 aims at establishing a platform for collaboration, capacity building and knowledge sharing between government and ICT sector with a view of linking and hastening implementation of Government IT projects to world-class standards.