Impact Stories from Empowering Women and Girls Policy Area
Fellow(s): Ebenezer Ajah Chris, Rumana Kabir, and Stella Uzochukwu-Denis
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2019, 2023
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development, Youth Engagement
Fellows serve as Every Girl 2.0 Program Mentors in Nigeria
As part of the Every Girl 2.0 Program, supported by the Khalil Suleiman Halilu Foundation in partnership with USAID, fellows Ebenezer Ajah Chris (Nigeria, 2023), Rumana Kabir (Nigeria, 2023) and Stella Uzochukwu-Denis (Nigeria, 2019) recently served in a three-month mentorship program dedicated to guiding young women in tech career development, goal setting and personal growth.
The program provided training in foundational tech skills, internet literacy, and digital careers for young women aged 14-21 from underserved communities across Nigeria. Learning topics included an introduction to internet technology, digital communication tools, cybersecurity Awareness and online safety.
“Special thanks also to the TechWomen community and U.S. Embassy in Nigeria,” Ebenzer recently shared, “for inspiring Techwomen alumnae like myself to lead, give back and empower others.”
Report Date...: 10/28/2024
Fellow(s): (fellows) Aliaa Ahmed, Ainura Sagyn, Binta Moustapha, Ouafa Belgacem, Sabina Nforba, and Tofara Chekera, and (mentors) Katie Penn and Queen Denchukwu
Country: Cameroon, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Tunisia, United States, Zimbabwe
Cohort: 2014, 2017, 2020-2021, 2022, 2023
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellows & Mentors play key roles in opening weeks of 79th UN General Assembly
Fellows Aliaa Ahmed (Egypt, 2022), Ainura Sagyn (Kyrgyzstan, 2017), Binta Moustapha (Nigeria, 2014), Ouafa Belgacem (Tunisia, 2023), Sabina Nforba (Cameroon, 2020-2021) and Tofara Chekera (Zimbabwe, 2022), and Mentors Katie Penn and Queen Denchukwu reportedly participated in various capacities at the opening weeks of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York this September.
Several Fellows took on leadership and speaking roles. At the UN Summit of the Future, Tofara, Founder of Tofara Online Trust, took the stage to deliver a speech on “how embracing the digital world unlocks a future filled with endless opportunities.” Similarly, Aliaa, Director of Foreign Relations and Policy Affairs at the Egyptian Food Bank (EFB), participated in an open dialogue on transforming global governance and promoting the implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development at the Summit of the Future. There, she underscored the EFB’s efforts to empower youth through development initiatives aimed at tackling food security challenges. Binta, Founder of youth training initiative Cabinet Hub Zinder and STEM education program Elmira Schools, was invited to speak at the Intergenerational Partnerships for Just Climate Transition and Digital Futures workshop, a part of the UN Summit of the Future organized by UN University-IIGH at Columbia University.
Meanwhile, Sabina hosted and launched a groundbreaking policy brief on Artificial Intelligence for Youth Sustainable Development in Africa, which she called her “legacy as the Digital Innovation Lead at the African Union.” This brief, developed by the Office of the AU Chairperson’s Youth Envoy in collaboration with the UN Global Compact & African Export-Import Bank, shares lessons Sabina learned through the Make Africa Digital initiative which she coordinated and led for the past two years.
Report Date...: 09/30/2024
Fellow(s): Natalya Klimenko
Country: Uzbekistan
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development
Fellow Launches StartCamp for Women Entrepreneurs
Fellow Natalya Klimenko (Uzbekistan, 2018), founder of the online learning platform Stemio, has co-launched StartCamp, a transformative program designed to accelerate the growth of women-led businesses. After three months of preparation, StartCamp recently held its Orientation Day in Tashkent, officially welcoming 19 remarkable women entrepreneurs. Over the next eight weeks, these businesses will undergo intensive training focused on sales, marketing, and achieving measurable results.
The program includes twice-weekly mentorship sessions and workshops, along with traction meetings to track progress. Participants will have access to valuable networking opportunities with industry experts and potential investors, helping them refine their strategies and build effective sales funnels. With guidance from StartCamp’s expert team, the goal is to help these startups secure their first sales, grow their client base, and prepare for future investment opportunities.
Klimenko emphasized the excitement surrounding the program’s potential, writing “I’m very proud of everyone and looking forward to what’s ahead. The best part? We’re just getting started!”
StartCamp is supported by a range of partners, including UNDP Uzbekistan, U-ENTER Innovation Center, Uzum, Dodo Pizza, and weproject.media C-space, all dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial success in the region.
Report Date...: 09/23/2024
Fellow(s): Tolulope Erinosho
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellow Hosts APWEN at Federal University Solar Plant
Fellow Tolulope Erinosho (Nigeria, 2022) recently welcomed the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) to the ongoing 3.0 MW Solar Hybrid Power Plant project site located at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where she works as a lecturer and researcher. This initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s Energizing Education Program (EEP) and the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), aimed at enhancing renewable electricity access for off-grid communities and establishing training centers for renewable energy across beneficiary universities. The advanced infrastructure features 16,300 units of 545W solar panels and a design focused on reliability.
“[The women’s] enthusiasm was a testament to the project’s impact, not just in providing energy solutions but also in inspiring the next generation of engineers,” Tolulope shared. “Together, we can unlock the future.”
Report Date...: 09/23/2024
Fellow(s): (fellow) Houa Seghouani & (mentor) Joyce E. Coffee
Country: Algeria, United States
Cohort: 2023
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development
Fellow launches Impact Podcast with Mentor as 1st guest
Fellow Houa Seghouani (Algeria, 2023) recently hosted mentor Joyce E. Coffee, on her newly launched Impact Podcast, to capture the stories of women changemakers in STEM.
In this episode, Houa captures the inspiring story and insights behind Joyce’s founding of Climate Resilience Consulting. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in urban planning from M.I.T., Joyce seeks to “create resilience for all rather than just avoid risk for some.”
Joyce has spent more than 25 years leading green technology projects, with experience not only in the U.S., but also in the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan.
Houa is an experienced electrical engineer and the founder of the Net3alem initiative, an online platform for STEM and language training. She is a fellow of both the TechGirls and TechWomen programs. Bringing her journey full circle, she recently served as a 2024 Local Engagement Coordinator for the Algerian TechGirls, supporting participants and preparing them for their journeys to the U.S.
Report Date...: 09/09/2024
Fellow(s): Tofara Lindsay Chokera
Country: Zimbabwe
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development
Fellow appointed to board for COMESA women in business
Fellow Tofara Lindsay Chokera (Zimbabwe, 2022), CEO and Founder of Tofara Online Trust, has been appointed a board member for the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Zimbabwe Chapter.
Tofara’s role involves supporting women entrepreneurs and SMEs in adopting digital marketing and tech-driven solutions for business growth. In her capacity as a board member, Tofara aims to encourage the use of technology to unlock new opportunities and drive business efficiency.
COMFWB acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences among women entrepreneurs across the COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) region.
“Let’s continue to empower, inspire, and transform the business landscape for women in Zimbabwe,” Tofara shared in a recent post.
Report Date...: 09/09/2024
Fellow(s): Roshaan Sheikh
Country: Pakistan
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development
Fellow featured for tech gender advocacy by HerDomain
Fellow Roshaan Sheikh (Pakistan, 2022), co-founder of online artists’ marketplace Stipple and head of digital transformation at Confidential, was recently featured in a spotlight post by HerDomain, a non-profit organization working in South Asia and the Middle East to increase women’s entry and advancement in the digital economy.
The feature showcases her journey as a Pakistani woman navigating the tech industry, highlighting both the challenges she faced and her resilience in overcoming them. Roshaan shares her career journey, actively combatting gender bias by seeking mentorship and community support, connecting with professionals who recognized her potential, and engaging in initiatives aimed at addressing gender inequality and fostering inclusive environments. Her efforts transformed personal challenges into broader opportunities for advocacy while also advancing her career.
“Be the change, never put others down, and become your own hero. Embrace resilience, focus on your goals, and lift others as you rise,” Roshaan advises.
Report Date...: 08/26/2024
Fellow(s): Sanera Maharaj
Country: South Africa
Cohort: 2023
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development
Fellow gives talk for #SheOwnsHerSuccess workshop series produced by Momentum financial services company
“Sometimes we are so caught up in aiming for the next goal [that] we are burning out on the journey to get there,” advised fellow Sanera Maharaj (South Africa, 2023), who recently delivered a talk on balancing self-reliance and well-being for the #SheOwnsHerSuccess multi-day August workshop series sponsored by Momentum.
Sanera, an industrial engineer, public speaker and STEM community leader, serves as Head of Operations at MAHLE Aftermarket, one of the top global suppliers and partners in the automotive industry. Her experience and specialties include business development, market analysis, sales and customer journeys. She and her team were one of two winners of the MAHLE Global incubator in 2021.
Sanera also supports Science2Go and the Next Einstein Forum. She has previously served as a SuperScientists spokesperson and was recognized among the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in 2022.
#SheOwnsHerSuccess is an initiative of Momentum’s “Womentum” empowerment project. It seeks to foster spaces that launch women forward and amplify their voices so that they may empower other women with their wisdom and success stories.
Report Date...: 08/19/2024
Fellow(s): Kseniia Tsyganova
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development
Fellow delivers masterclass to women with disabilities
Fellow Kseniia Tsyganova (Kyrgyzstan, 2022) recently delivered a masterclass on essential professional soft skills for Nazyk Kyz, an organization that supports women and girls with disabilities. Aiming to help participants tap into the workforce, Kseniia’s talk focused on teamwork, problem-solving and other nuanced essentials for career success.
“I hope this event is just the first of many to help build a society that is more accepting and accessible with many work opportunities!” Kseniia shared in a recent post.
Kseniia is director of talent operations at Raised, a marketplace of senior business professionals who guide startups in growth, valuation, sales and more. She is an ardent tech community organizer, serving as a Women TechMakers lead, Technovation mentor and regular event speaker for tech hubs and initiatives.
Report Date...: 08/19/2024
Fellow featured in BBC Africa article as satellite work pioneer
Fellow(s): Marie Makuate
Country: Cameroon
Cohort: 2022
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development, Public Health, Youth Engagement
Read More »Report Date...: 04/15/2024
