admin | July 4, 2024
News Brief
When Natacha Sangwa wanted to learn computer coding, people asked if she really thought she could handle it. Coding needs time and focus, qualities they believed girls lacked. But Ms. Sangwa was determined to prove them wrong. She participated in the first coding camp organized under the African Girls Can Code Initiative in 2023 in Rwanda, and learned all about coding, robotics, and gender equality. Learning about the gender gap in tech inspired her to continue working towards creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. She says: “Some people believe that girls cannot be both creative and feminine, while also pursuing a career in coding.” Ms. Sangwa and other participants of the program stand ready to challenge this myth and inspire more girls to learn technology and pursue careers in ICT.
When Natacha Sangwa wanted to learn computer coding, people in her life asked if she really thought she could handle it. Coding needs time and focus, qualities that they believed girls lacked. After all, men hold most of the tech jobs.
Ms. Sangwa says, “I was motivated to prove them wrong by learning how to code and pursuing a career in tech.” She participated in the first coding camp organized under the African Girls Can Code Initiative in 2023 in Rwanda, and is most interested in robotics and cybersecurity.
The program is spearheaded in 11 countries by UN Women, the International Telecommunication Union, and the African Union, including Rwanda. During the two-week camp, participating girls learned about coding, robotics, and gender equality.
Ms. Sangwa says: “While participating in the African Girls Can Code program, I became aware of the significant gender gap that exists in the tech industry. I gained valuable knowledge on how to prevent online attacks and protect my online presence.”
Equipped with these skills, Ms. Sangwa wants to help others learn how to protect themselves online. She also learned about the importance of bridging the gender gap in tech, which inspired her to continue working towards creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
She is currently working on developing an app that connects local farmers directly with their clients and helps them reach a wider market.
She says: “Some people believe that girls cannot be both creative and feminine, while also pursuing a career in coding. It is often assumed that coders are isolated individuals who spend all their time in dark rooms writing code and not talking to anyone else.”
Ms. Sangwa and other participants in the program stand ready to challenge these myths and inspire more girls to learn technology and pursue careers in ICT.
She feels that platforms like the African Girls Can Code initiative and Siemens EmpowerHer program can inspire and encourage more girls to join ICT careers.
She says: “After attending the African Girls Can Code Initiative camp, I started with girls in my family and helped them get over their fears and become interested in tech. Now that I have completed the Siemens EmpowerHer program, I am excited to become a peer mentor and share my journey with other girls.”
Ms. Sangwa really enjoys computer coding and believes in designing inclusive technologies that meet the needs of all individuals. To do that, she needs to consider the perspectives of all genders. She explains: “To create technologies that work for both genders, we need to prioritize gender diversity. Since men currently dominate the tech industry, many technologies tend to reflect their interests.”
She is also interested in artificial intelligence, or AI, and concerned about the gender bias in AI. She says: “I have noticed that it is mostly developed by men and trained on datasets that are primarily based on men. This results in AI systems that sometimes fail to relate to women. For instance, when women use some AI systems to diagnose illnesses, they often receive inaccurate answers because the AI is not aware of symptoms that may present differently in women.”
Ms. Sangwa concludes: “We are the future of technology, and we can achieve a lot. Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed in technology because of your gender. Together we can break down barriers and challenge the stereotypes. We can create a world with equal opportunities and where technology is accessible to all. Let’s keep learning and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
This story is adapted from an article published by UN Women called “Girls who can code and break stereotypes: an interview with Natacha Sangwa.” To read the full story, go to: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/interview/2024/04/girls-who-can-code-and-break-stereotypes
Photo: Participants during a robotics session at the first AGCCI bootcamp in Rwanda. Photo: UN Women