UN Women is currently providing training to the first cohort of Ugandan girls, aged between 17-25, in coding, programming, and design using Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
This initiative, known as the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), aims to address the existing digital gender gaps.
A total of 50 girls from various schools in Lango sub-region have been selected to participate in the AGCCI, which is implemented in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with financial support from the Belgium government.
The ten-day coding camp, taking place from July 1st to 10th, 2023, is designed to empower girls as computer programmers, creators, and designers, paving the way for them to pursue studies and careers in the male-dominated fields of ICT, education, and coding.
Paul Collins Okello, the Program Specialist for Women’s Economic Empowerment at UN Women, emphasized that the primary objective of the initiative is to bridge the digital gender gap prevalent not only in Uganda but throughout Africa.
The initiative focuses on two key strategies: organizing coding camps and integrating ICT, coding, and gender into the national curricula.
Moses Musingo Maina, the Assistant Commissioner for Government Secondary Education, expressed optimism that this initiative would raise awareness about girls’ involvement in technology, enhance the girls’ skills and capacities, and provide them with new opportunities.
He also noted that it would support the implementation of the new lower secondary school curriculum.
Morris Okumu, the Head Teacher of Father Aloysius SS in Kole district, described the training as a “liberation opportunity” for the girls.
Some of the girls undergoing the training expressed their enthusiasm, stating that it not only expanded their knowledge but also provided them with personal gadgets to enhance their interactions with others.
RCM Okello Orik, the Lira District Chairperson, advised the girls to seize this opportunity to create possibilities for themselves and their communities.
AGCCI aims to train and empower a minimum of 2000 young girls across Africa. In Uganda, the organization intends to train 100 girls, with the initial 50 in Lira being the first group. Subsequently, another cohort will be identified from a different region for training and equipping.