Empowering Young Women in ICT: Challenges, Initiatives, and Opportunities in Rwanda

As the global community celebrates International Girls in ICT Day, the theme "Leadership" highlights the critical importance of addressing gender disparities in technology. Despite advancements towards gender equality, women remain under-represented in technical and leadership roles within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Rwanda's Strategic Initiatives

Aligned with Vision 2050, Rwanda is dedicated to integrating ICT across all sectors with a robust focus on gender equality. Educational reforms have spearheaded the establishment of SMART Classrooms and STEM centres, innovation hubs like Klab and FabLab and partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft, Google and IBM contributing to an increase in accessible resources for young women to gain exposure and skills training within the ICT sector.

Initiatives like the Generation Equality Forum are pivotal in catalyzing public support and mobilizing young people's energy, activism, and ideas to close the gender digital divide by 2026, ensuring equitable access to technology for women and girls.

Enhancing Skills and Creating Opportunities

Harambee Rwanda plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to employment opportunities for young women. Our approach includes amplifying the successes of women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering and information technology, all while providing relatable role models that inspire and motivate others to pursue similar paths. We also engage in ongoing advocacy with employers to promote gender parity within their hiring practices. This focused effort has led to an increase in job openings tailored specifically for female applicants, contributing to a more inclusive workforce.

“The skills I learned at Harambee were instrumental in spotting the right opportunities, transforming my CV and boosting my interview techniques. This has significantly advanced my career as I was able to secure a job at Deriv on my first attempt. but I also learnt effective networking skills that enabled me to build a strong relationship with the IT team. When an opening arose, they recommended me based on my qualifications and background. I started in Customer Support and, thanks to the skills and support I’ve received, I quickly moved up to my dream role in the IT department.”-Mireille Muhawenimana, Network? Security Operation Center Analyst, Deriv.?

Understanding the unique challenges faced by young women, particularly those in rural areas or with familial responsibilities, Harambee Rwanda offers flexible learning formats such as hybrid and fully online training sessions. These are supported by comprehensive services including data subsidies, transport stipends, personalized career coaching, interview preparation, and CV writing workshops. This ensures that all participants can fully engage with and benefit from our programs with limited hindrances from external factors.

Harambee Rwanda actively partners with the Rwanda GBS Growth Initiative as an industry associate, collaborating with companies in Rwanda to identify top talent for the burgeoning Global Business Services sector. This collaboration is instrumental in working alongside innovative organisations like AmaliTech Services GmbH , Tek Experts , and Deriv , to foster employment and growth opportunities, particularly for women in ICT. We also appreciate firms like SOLVIT AFRICA , which play a crucial role in equipping young people with the in-demand tech skills necessary for success in today’s digital landscape.?

"Diversity, in all its forms, is a key part of what enables Tek Experts success. Our intentional drive to increase the number of female Engineers and Leaders allows us to deliver a successful customer experience that is collaborative and creative. It also creates wider community benefits while acting as a beacon to the next generation"- Gary Bennett , Country Manager, Tek Experts.

Not to mention, we empower women, particularly microentrepreneurs, with essential communication and business skills necessary for success. Our efforts include making technology more accessible by reducing participant costs and collaborating with partners to provide affordable digital tools.

Addressing Remaining Gaps and Challenges

Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain in achieving gender equality in ICT. Digital literacy among women is disproportionately low, with many lacking basic access to ICT resources. Socio-cultural barriers still restrict women's participation in high-skill occupations, and the prevalence of women in low-wage or unpaid roles, especially in rural areas, necessitates targeted interventions.

ICT roles span across all sectors, therefore stakeholders need to enhance digital infrastructure, expand access to digital skills training, and support policies that promote women in ICT. Efforts are being made through initiatives like GIRLS in ICT mentorship and MsGeek Rwanda which foster a culture of innovation and empower young girls to embrace technology. Additionally, programs such as TechKobwa Boot Camps and the "Inkubito z'Icyeza" Forum provide crucial platforms for skill development and networking, preparing the ground for future female leaders in ICT.

Harambee Rwanda is committed to empowering young women across various sectors by providing comprehensive demand-led skilling opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and an iterative learning approach, we design solutions for the youth unemployment challenge with a particular focus on women to ensure they gain the necessary skills and access to meaningful employment and succeed in the digital economy. Join us on this transformative journey to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. Together, we can build a more inclusive future by identifying challenges, innovating solutions, and sharing insights.