Recently, Kenya joined the world in celebrating Girls in ICT Day, a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women to embrace technology as a tool for inclusive digital transformation.
Through a webinar last month, organised by the Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen) programme—funded by the Joint SDG Fund and led by UN Women in collaboration with Pwani Technogalz and the Northern Innovation and Empowerment Hub (NieHub)—there was a rallying cry to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for girls and women in this digital era.
Despite progress in education and technology, the gender gap in STEM fields remains stark. Globally, women hold only 28.2% of STEM-related jobs, despite making up 35% of graduates in these fields.
In Africa, the disparity is even more pronounced, with women accounting for just 30% of the tech workforce, despite representing 61% of the labour force in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Kenya, the situation is similar. Fewer than 30% of ICT roles are occupied by women, and only 35% of women use mobile internet compared to 50% of men, according to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024. These statistics reveal deep-rooted obstacles such as digital poverty, cultural norms, and a lack of mentorship that continue to sideline women in the tech revolution.
Under the theme Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation, the event aimed to change this narrative by fostering ambition and confidence among young women. According to Mary Wanjiru, Team Lead at UN Women Kenya’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Unit, digital innovation is key in unlocking employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“Digital innovation has the power to drive employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for women and girls. Investors should prioritise investing in girls’ digital skills and dismantling systemic barriers,” Mary said.
This message was reinforced by personal stories from participants such as Sumaya Nyasege, a cybersecurity expert and alumna of the African Girls Can Code Initiative, who shared how mentorship and access to digital tools propelled her career.
“I wanted to go the extra mile and improve my skills but could not afford it—until I got the chance at the code camp,” said Nyasege.
The event also showcased digital empowerment stories from marginalised regions in Kenya. Fatuma Dubow, founder of NieHub in Garissa County, spoke of her journey from having no technical background to becoming a driving force for change, proving that determination and support can break even the toughest barriers.
Personal stories of triumph resonated throughout the session. A poignant documentary further illustrated how digital access has transformed the lives of young girls, enabling them to defy stereotypes and pursue careers once deemed unreachable.
The webinar also focused on real-world innovations led by young women. For example, Konji Viola, a software engineer, recounted her experience developing a mobile app to support informal women traders during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for technology that addresses real community needs.
Meanwhile, Meysun Rashid, a NieHub graduate, shared her journey of challenging societal norms in her conservative community through digital skills, proving that technology is a universal right—not a privilege.
According to John Okande, Programme Officer at UNESCO, true digital inclusion begins with connection, shared knowledge, and the belief that every voice matters.
“Empowerment begins where connection grows. When we lift each other, share our knowledge, and believe that no voice is too small to shape the future. Women should actively engage in mentorship networks and digital learning platforms, as efforts to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence continue to bear fruit,” he said.
