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Girls Who Take IT Courses Are More Likely To Have Brighter Career Lives In Future
23rd April is the day when the globe combines efforts and energy to appreciate, honor and celebrate Girls In ICT….
23rd April is the day when the globe combines efforts and energy to appreciate, honor and celebrate Girls In ICT. Better known as the International Girls in ICT Day, it aims to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider pursuing studies and careers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
Started in 2011, International Girls in ICT Day has been embraced by ITU members in over 171 countries with more than 11,000 celebrations involving over 357,000 girls and young women actively taking place. During this year’s celebration, ITU hosted an online dialogue on Girls in ICT, themed; Inspiring the Next Generation.
The online dialogue highlighted the importance of different governments’ engagement in empowering women through technology and drew attention to the role models and mentors and how they can inspire girls and young women to take up careers in the tech field.
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“As we progress towards faster and technologically superior times – the era of 5G – it is only right that we inspire and engage more and more young girls and women to take up STEM studies as a career opportunity, raising awareness for a better tomorrow,” read part of the ITU report on the International Day of Girls in ICT.
Locally, women in technology, holders of different responsibilities shared messages of encouragement to young and old ladies alike, to grow their zeal for the technology industry.
Taking a lead was CIO East Africa through its #HerNovation platform, that has since its inception, remained true to its mantra of growing the numbers of women in technology and by so doing, enhancing inclusivity and a diverse workforce.
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Laura Chite, CEO CIO East Africa and a Co-Founder for HerNovation noted that having many more young girls or women in ICT is important not only because a diverse and inclusive teams lead to better working environment but also because it has a huge impact on employees’ general productivity.
“The 4IR is here,” she said. “Girls who focus on STEM will have more opportunities in the future than all other disciplines. Choose STEM as you plan your future.”
Gender disparity however confirms the painful doubt that currently, there are simply not enough young women willing to take up STEM studies as a choice for higher education or career option just like it has been in the past. This worrying trend had other women industry shapers in East Africa send messages of hope to the upcoming generation, to brave on facing IT related courses, that as they noted in different terms, holds a bright future for the leaders of the future.
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“The number of female science and technology students is disproportionately low thus women being underrepresented in Tech yet bring a new perspective to it,” said Blen Woldeab, the Change Manager – EABL / Diageo Eastern and Southern Africa. Adding; “Looking at the great advances in technology today, I can only imagine how far ahead we can get if girls grabbed IT opportunities earlier in life.”
Also speaking to the girls in ICT was Juliet S. Shambi, the Solutions Engineer at SAP East and West Africa who averred;” Someone once told me that as a woman with a business degree, I had no place in the tech-world. Make learning a lifelong habit and doors will open where walls existed!”
Kendi Ntwiga-Nderitu, Country Manager, Microsoft Kenya mentored the girls through her message and here is what she told them; “Tech is now embedded in all aspects of life. It therefore is essential that girls and women who make over half the population are encouraged to pursue it . The role women play as the builders of society becomes even more critical in a tech enabled world.”
The last speaker encouraged girls to be present and bold. “Be bold, be heard, and be a learner. Then, find a societal need that speaks to your passion and can be solved using ICT. Mine is youth and mentorship. What’s yours?” said Esther Muchiri, CEO eMentoring Africa.
#Hernovation, during this occasion of Girls in ICT Day 2020, shared pieces of encouragement, especially for the young researchers and budding engineers and IT professionals (also aspiring) in the hope that the messages will help provide the girls with the courage to brave on to the ‘male-reserved’ mainstream IT courses in future.
Happy International Girls In ICT Day!