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About 120 young women from high schools in Nairobi County received career guidance from Microsoft DigiGirlz day on Saturday. This year’s event themed “shaping the future for Digigirlz” was co-hosted with Intel and it took the young women through business and various ICT topics on the latest innovations in technology and opportunities in the sector.
DigiGirlz is a Global Microsoft Youth Spark Program which gives high school girls the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with women industry leaders in ICT as well as participate in hands on computer and technology workshops.
“Most of our girl students shy away from sciences and IT with the notion that these are hard and a reserve for boys. We have been trying to encourage them to take these up and dispelling the myth that any of the sexes is brighter than the other. We are happy that ladies in Microsoft are here to show ladies can play an active role in ICT and to encourage and nurture our students,” said Amos Nduyoh, Deputy Principal St Martin Girls Secondary School.
Agatha Gikunda, Software and Sales Lead, Intel East Africa said: “Events such as DigiGirlz help demystify the industry by profiling successful Kenyan women in IT. Relevant role models are essential in creating an interest in the IT field and helping young women visualize a career in IT. However, an interest in IT does not only prepare women for a career but also empowers them with ability to leverage technology in their daily lives to access information and convert it into knowledge.”
Nearly 19,000 students have attended the Microsoft DigiGirlz Technology Programs since they began in 2000. DigiGirlz gives girls the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Microsoft employees, participate in workshops and product demonstrations.
With a focus on supporting youth development worldwide, Microsoft recently introduced Microsoft Youth Spark, an initiative designed to create opportunities for millions of the world’s unemployed youth.
The new global initiative, aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries in three years. In the first year Microsoft YouthSpark has impacted 100 million youth.
“This company wide initiative includes DigiGirlz, Citizenship and other company programs that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship,” saidWanjira Kamwere, Microsoft Education Lead East and Southern Africa.