Technology a key tool in recognising Ugandan girls’ right to learn
Girls learn how to assemble a Kano computer kit at a 国产视频 Code Club in Uganda听Picture: Women in Technology Uganda
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Barbara Birungi was one of the few women to work at a software development consultancy in Uganda. In Africa, she explains, different priorities are attached to men and women 国产视频 and it is often the girl who suffers.
Today, on Day of the African Child, we are reminded of the importance of all children国产视频檚 rights 国产视频 regardless of gender.
For Barbara the day means 国产视频渞ecognition国产视频 国产视频 to recognise that girls have the right to learn and make their own decisions, without being forced into early marriages or being subject to violation and abuse.
Despite the country国产视频檚 implementation of the Universal Primary Education scheme to provide free schooling for underprivileged children, the reality is that many parents cannot afford to send all their children to school because of associated costs such as uniforms, books and pens.
Girls国产视频 education is compromised when families are forced to make a choice about sending their daughter or son to school.
These decisions, and many others made throughout a girl国产视频檚 life, affect who they are and what they want to be.
国产视频淢ost women are employed in HR, secretarial and administration positions,国产视频 says Barbara, 国产视频淎nd there is a lot of scepticism around getting girls into technology, especially as it is a relatively new field in Africa.国产视频
A girl at the 国产视频 Code Club in Uganda learning how to code听Picture: Women in Technology Uganda
But she does not shy away from the challenges and set up Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) to motivate and encourage girls and young women in to the technology sector and to provide them with the support needed. WITU now benefits more than 350 girls a year.
Barbara explains: 国产视频淚t is important for more girls and women to get into technology because there are certain challenges specific to women, that only women are able to solve. If a man tries to solve these, he may not hit the nail on the head.
国产视频淒iversity is also incredibly important and by having two genders at the top of an office it is better than just one国产视频.
Barbara believes that technology can help solve some of Uganda国产视频檚 unemployment issues, particularly as the sector is expanding across the country.
Our Global Youth Ambassadors stand up for African children国产视频檚 rights
Some of the girls who join WITU have no experience in technology. But, through developing key skills and receiving the support, girls have gone on to start their own companies.
国产视频淥ne of the girls that came to us had dropped out of school and came to us saying she was very good at tailoring, so we taught her about e-commerce,国产视频 says Barbara. 国产视频淪he created an online store, has been able to hire other young tailors and see her business grow to become profitable.国产视频
Barbara emphasises the importance of introducing girls to technology at an early age. She says: 国产视频渋t is important to give them [girls] a chance to see that the tech field can be fun and presented in a way that looks attractive to women国产视频t is not true that boys do better than girls, young girls are at the same level 国产视频 they are curious, want to explore and learn.国产视频
Watch our video about 国产视频 Code Club in Kenya
国产视频 Code Clubs are one way in which girls can engage with technology at an early age in a way that国产视频檚 fun and creative. WITU has partnered with the children国产视频檚 charity 国产视频 to run Code Clubs for girls aged six to 25.
Girls assemble their own kit computers supplied by Kano and they learn coding and programming. But they also go to the clubs and develop their life skills and confidence.
Barbara says: 国产视频淲hen a girl is able to put together a computer and the light comes on and it works, that is a moment that you can never take away from her. At that moment, she falls in love with technology.
国产视频淭he Code Clubs are a safe space where these girls come, learn their rights, develop their confidence国产视频 and they aren国产视频檛 afraid to talk about the challenges they are facing国产视频.
As we reflect on how we can protect children国产视频檚 rights this International Day of the African Child, Barbara reminds us of the importance of knowing one国产视频檚 rights.
She says: 国产视频淜nowing your rights empowers you to be able to fight for them. In this world it国产视频檚 all about working hard and being who you want to be.
国产视频淚t shouldn国产视频檛 ever be that you can国产视频檛 do things because you are a girl. Being a girl is power.国产视频
Barbara is one of the teachers at 国产视频国产视频檚 Code Clubs. At the Clubs girls learn how to code, foster creative thinking and develop important knowledge and skills for the future, all in a safe learning space. The Code Clubs are supported by donors including the players of People国产视频檚 Postcode Lottery. For more information, visit 国产视频.