By Silvia Nyambura
Technology Company Microsoft in partnership with Pan African Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum for African Women Educationalists Uganda (FAWEU) held their first ever DigiGirlz event in Uganda at Kitante Hill School in Kampala. The event which was held over the weekend opened doors to fervent and determined young women to immerse themselves in the latest innovations in technology.
The initiative hopes to significantly increase the number of young women involved in technology-focused careers and to set an example for other corporations to pursue avenues of inclusion in the workplace. The Camp also purposes to dispel myths of what it means to have a career in the high-tech industry and give girls a chance to experience firsthand what it is like to develop cutting-edge technology.
“Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Camp strives to provide young women with the necessary expertise and direction to succeed in a world becoming more dependent on the latest technologies and innovations. We believe this will help dismiss any stereotypes of the high-tech industry catering solely to men,” said Microsoft’s Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs Manager in East and Southern Africa, Mr. Alex Nyingi.
Echoing the event’s theme ‘Enhancing Girls’ Capacities in STEM for Development’ FAWEU Executive Director Christine Semambo Sempebwa, noted that DigiGirlz will help bridge gender disparities in performance in math and science by instilling positive attitudes among girls towards the subjects.
“Gender stereotypes, cultural barriers and low quality of education continue to affect girls’ career choices and opportunities in STEM fields. This training lays ground for secondary school girls to acquire hands on experience of the relevant skills needed to not only meet the technological manpower of the nation but also explore better ways of influencing the rest of their peers into considering careers in STEM,” she said.
Over 120 high school girls from Kampala and Wakiso districts in Uganda were chosen to participate in the initiative.
In his keynote speech as guest of honor Hon. Tokodri Tagboa, Minister of State of Higher Education Science and Technology Uganda encouraged the girls to stay active in math and science programs and to pursue degrees in technology related fields.
“The Ministry emphasizes that improving girls’ beliefs about their abilities could alter their choices and performance. We will work with like-minded organizations to create a pool of girls who will form a huge proportion of the next generation of scientists in Uganda,” he said.
More than 23,500 students have attended the Microsoft DigiGirlz Technology Programs (both camps and one-day events) since they began in the year 2000.
The initiative gives girls the opportunity to meet one on one with senior level Microsoft executives, participate in workshops and product demonstrations and shadow employees possessing similar interests.
