As a way to observe International Girls in ICT Day marked on April 25 every year, Coderina EdTech hosted an event themed ‘EmpowerHER: Unleashing the Potential of Girls in Tech’ on April 27, at Saint Ignatius High School.
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The event brought together girls aged 9 to 16 from six different private and public schools with the goal of empowering and unlocking the potential of young females in the technology industry.
The event was in line with the global movement for diversity and equity in ICT disciplines, supporting gender equality and inclusivity in the industry.
The global theme was "Digital skills for life”.
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Coderina EdTech, a tech education company in Rwanda, held the workshop to build confidence, develop skills, and foster a supportive community to help girls unlock their full potential in technology.
The event also aimed at overcoming gender obstacles and promoting leadership roles for girls in the ICT industry. The students were engaged in various activities, including building creative solutions to a designed prompt using Lego brand toys, consisting mostly of interlocking plastic bricks used to practice robotics.
"The girls need to be empowered through practicing, which is beyond just having the political will and enabling policies in place. Having platforms where they can practice the learned skills, connect with inspiring professionals in tech, and explore the world of technology,” noted Ange Gabriella Ndekezi, Country Representative Coderina Ed-Tech.
The workshop was spearheaded by Maranyundo School girls, who are the winners of the previous Coderina Ed-Tech competition held in Rwanda and representing Rwanda abroad.
Celine Mutesi, the community associate at Co-Creation Hub, who spoke at the event, urged the young girls to continue enhancing their interest in ICT and breaking persistent gender stereotypes while fostering inclusivity in their day-to-day environments.
She highlighted the need for more women in the tech industry, and the importance of having diverse voices to drive innovation.
Sylvie Nsanga, a digital expert and social activist, provided the young girls with valuable insights on online safety tips and encouraged them to keep in mind how to increase and ease accessibility as they aim at creating different tech solutions to different world problems.
Nsanga emphasised the need for a safe and secure online environment for all, urging young girls to be vigilant and practice safe online behaviour.
The students went on to showcase their creativity and innovative solutions to the provided prompt.
One of the students, 15-year-old Lina Dusa Ngabire, expressed her motivation and inspiration, "I'm very inspired and motivated to pursue STEM education and perhaps a career in technology later after I graduate. I have never doubted myself, but such programmes make me feel even more supported, and it is a good feeling to know that there are people rooting for you.”