Impact Stories from Empowering Women and Girls Policy Area
Fellows host Tajikistan’s first Hour of Code for girls
Fellow(s): Mutriba Akhmedova, Anzurat Kosimova, Mahina Usmonova
Country: Tajikistan
Cohort: 2015, 2016
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This month, 2015 fellow Mutriba Akhmedova and 2016 fellows Anzurat Kosimova and Mahina Usmonova held the inaugural Hour of Code in Tajikistan, traveling to five regions of the country to teach over 200 girls coding and computer science. The global Hour of Code program, now implemented in more than 180 countries, introduces youth to the fundamentals of programming and computer science.
The fellows implemented their project through a grant from the Alumni Small Grants Program offered by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan’s Public Affairs section. From December 7 to 23, they traveled throughout Tajikistan with a mission to bridge the gender gap in STEM, holding coding classes that familiarized girls with programming basics and instilled in them a curiosity to pursue STEM fields.
In Dushanbe, Khujand, Dj.Rasulov, Kulob and Bokhtar, the fellows met with over 200 girls ages 10-18 to teach a one-day course on coding. During the day of skill-building, the girls were encouraged to creatively solve problems, develop their design thinking abilities and understand the basics of IT and STEM. “This is just the beginning,” says Anzurat. “Children are the future of Tajik society. They have to gain good skills and knowledge, and we are here to support them. We have many fresh ideas to implement in the near future. TechWomen makes us social-oriented and we are ready to make a difference in our lovely country!”
Report Date...: 12/30/19
Fellow wins Women in Energy Award
Fellow(s): Lilian Motongori
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Growth
2019 fellow Lilian Motongori won the Professional Technical Award at the Women in Energy East Africa Awards, held this month in Nairobi. Lilian is the country representative for ElectraTherm, a Nevada-based company that generates fuel and emission-free power from low temperature waste heat. She is also the co-founder of Women in Energy Africa, an unaffiliated initiative that offers a platform for women in energy and offers consulting, career development and energy solutions to empower women and girls in the green tech fields.
The Professional Technical Award recognizes women who have both excelled in the energy sector and served as advocates for advancing and mentoring women and girls in green tech. The award ceremony is the culminating event of Women in Energy’s annual conference that focuses on innovations in energy and womens’ role in shaping the future of the field. “I am grateful to every person who contributed in giving me an opportunity in my career and professional journey, and my family for the support,” Lilian said. “This is for all their efforts, support and belief in me.”
Report Date...: 12/30/19
TechWomen and TechGirls launch alumnae platform
Fellow(s): Nisreen Deeb,Ghana Bteich, Lara Chikhani, Rasha Sukkarieh
Country: Lebanon
Cohort: 2013, 2015, 2017
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, alumnae from the TechWomen and TechGirls programs unveiled USALTech, a club and online platform that connects Lebanese exchange program alumnae, promotes opportunities for women and girls in STEM and encourages its members to share their skills and expertise.
In partnership with Legacy International and two TechGirls alumnae, fellows Nisreen Deeb (2013), Ghana Bteich (2015) and 2017 fellows Lara Chikhani and Rasha Sukkarieh hope to create monthly meetings and programming that nurture the ecosystem of local women and girls in STEM fields. The group’s first event, “Introduction to the TechGirls and TechWomen Programs,” will invite local girls and women in STEM to learn more about the TechGirls and TechWomen programs as well as network with peers in their fields.
Report Date...: 12/30/19
Mentor(s): Ritu Ganguly (mentor)
Company: Salesforce
Mentor Type: Professional
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
This week, TechWomen Professional Mentor Ritu Ganguly wrote a guest post for the TechWomen blog, sharing her perspective on mentorship and her most meaningful TechWomen memories. Ritu is a senior director for systems engineering at host company Salesforce.
In her post, “The TechWomen Program is Food for your Soul,” Ritu reflects on her role as mentor since 2013 and shares stories of perseverance and the meaning of cultural exchange. In one story, she recalls a dinner she hosted during TechWomen 2019 that brought four Emerging Leaders to her home. Over the course of the evening they shared a meal, laughed, danced and learned about commonalities that transcended countries and cultures. “While the program is contoured to benefit the Emerging Leaders and the countries they come from, I think it greatly enriches the lives of each and every person participating — however small their part may be,” she writes. “I have grown as a mentor and a leader, but even more so as a person.”
Report Date...: 12/23/19
Fellow interviewed about her work in computer science
Fellow(s): Fatima Zohra Benhamida
Country: Algeria
Cohort: 2017
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
2017 fellow of Algeria Fatima Zohra Benhamida was recently highlighted in the Nsesa Foundation’s STEM Wow series, a recurring feature that shines a light on women in STEM making an impact globally.
Fatima is an assistant professor of computer science as well as a board member of the TechWomen/TechGirls Club in Algeria. In her interview, Fatima speaks about her decade of experience in both research and education and shares her advice for women entering STEM fields. When asked about her greatest achievements, Fatima names completing her PhD in computer science as well as her selection for the TechWomen program. “I particularly feel a sense of achievement when I brought back all the skills from the Silicon Valley and made many volunteering projects which help the community in general, and enable technology access for girls in rural areas in particular,” she said.
Report Date...: 12/23/19
Mentor(s): Eileen Brewer (mentor), Munira Begmuratova, Zebo Isakova
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This month, TechWomen mentor Eileen Brewer traveled to Uzbekistan for a week of STEM programming meant to educate and empower local women and girls. Eileen, a longtime Professional Mentor at Symantec and 2019 Impact Coach for team Pakistan, traveled with TechWomen on the 2019 delegation trip to Uzbekistan.
In Tashkent, Eileen collaborated with fellows from multiple program years as well as the U.S. Embassy to create workshops for young girls interested in STEM, talks with early-stage women entrepreneurs, TechGirls outreach sessions and more. Eileen also had the opportunity to meet once again with young entrepreneurs at the NEST after-school program, a school she had visited during TechWomen’s delegation trip. Joined by 2016 fellow Munira Begmuratova, Eileen met with students ages eight to 16 to conduct a pitch training and support the young entrepreneurs in refining their business plans. Alongside 2019 fellow Zebo Isakova, Eileen met with 30 women for a workshop on early startup training for their craft and clothing businesses.
After she departed Tashkent, Eileen continued on to Armenia to present at a USG alumni conference on innovation, entrepreneurship and networking.
Report Date...: 12/16/19
20 girls graduate from fellow’s Girls Auto Squad program
Fellow(s): Oduwa Agboneni
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2019
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, 20 girls graduated from Girls Auto Squad, an automotive training program created by 2019 fellow Oduwa Agboneni. The six-month training aims to address the skills shortage and gender gap in the Nigerian automotive industry through empowering underserved girls. Oduwa, a mechanical engineer, is also the founder/CEO of Nenis Auto Care and the executive director of the Nenis Foundation.
In collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers and local foundations, Oduwa created a comprehensive training and internship program that teaches both technical and entrepreneurship skills; each girl graduated as a certified diagnostic and quick service technician. “GAS is a direct response to the challenges facing young girls in these urban centers,” says Oduwa. “The program will provide a viable pipeline of skilled female technicians to establish their own entrepreneurial ventures.” Moving forward, Oduwa hopes to create an online training program for technicians in order to reach more girls across Nigeria.
Report Date...: 12/16/19
Fellow collaborates with GE to donate laptops to girls’ school
Fellow(s): Salome Gathoni
Country: Kenya
Cohort: 2018
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
Recently, 2018 fellow Salome Gathoni collaborated with her employer, GE, to donate a computer lab to a public girls’ high school in Kenya. Internet connection for the lab was donated by Valenter Global, a company Salome was introduced to during TechWomen that brings skills training to underserved communities.
After Salome’s TechWomen mentor at Unity Technologies introduced her to Valenter founder Natalie Meyer, Salome travelled to Burlington to meet Natalie and her team after TechWomen concluded in Washington, D.C. Soon after, Salome submitted a proposal to a GE Foundation program designed to empower less privileged communities by providing technology, training and connectivity. Working alongside Natalie, GE and St. Anne’s Girls Secondary School in Nairobi, Salome coordinated the donation of 30 laptops, flat screen monitors, keyboards and mice to the schools’ 870 girls. The girls also had the opportunity to learn from visiting GE senior staff, who shared their career journeys and inspired the girls to remain ambitious despite challenges.
The school has already begun digital literacy training and is providing classes on using the internet for academic research. “The school will be able to provide educational support for the students in a better and efficient way, thereby enhancing their competency in STEM,” says Salome. “The girls can dream big and become great.”
Report Date...: 12/9/19
Mentor(s): Mercedes Soria
Company: Knightscope
Mentor Type: Impact
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
TechWomen Impact Coach Mercedes Soria recently authored an article for Forbes outlining the lack of gender diversity in tech, and how both individuals and tech companies can increase the representation of women in tech roles. Mercedes is the chief intelligence officer at Knightscope, leading a software engineering team and working in robotics, machine learning and AI. She is also part of the U.S. Speaker Program, and travels around the world to speak about women in technology.
In her article, Mercedes provides three strategies to increase women’s representation and professional growth. Her third strategy encourages companies to provide employee resource groups, or affinity groups, where women can discuss shared challenges and have a voice in company policy. Specifically, Mercedes suggestions implementing mentorship programs, stressing that the mentee/mentor relationship is mutually beneficial: “It is not true that only the mentee gets something out of a mentoring relationship,” she wrote. “Mentors also learn a lot about life and how the newer generation does things.”
Report Date...: 12/9/19
Fellows named Next Einstein Forum Ambassadors
Fellow(s): Chioma Ezedi, Sebay Momoh
Country: Nigeria, Sierra Leone
Cohort: 2013, 2018
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth, Youth Engagement
This week, it was announced that 2016 fellow of Nigeria Chioma Ezedi and 2018 fellow of Sierra Leone Sebay Momoh were named to the 2019-2021 class of Next Einstein Forum Ambassadors. The NEF Ambassador program selects young technology and science champions from each African country to lead public engagement activities and partner with established mentors and researchers to advance their own careers in STEM.
Chioma, a software programmer and founder of STEMteers, is hoping to accelerate collaboration with other STEM advocacy groups, using the local dialect for outreach in order to make NEF’s Africa Science Week successful in every part of Nigeria. She is also eager to localize science advocacy in her community: “Nothing thrives if only a small percentage of the population understands it,” she says.
Sebay is a petroleum engineer and the program coordinator for STEM Women SL, an NGO that aims to improve science education in Sierra Leone. As a NEF ambassador, she will continue to advocate for quality science education in Sierra Leone. “I am passionate about creating the right ecosystem to nurture brilliant and innovative ideas of young scientists in Sierra Leone,” says Sebay. “I want to shine a light on young creative minds, source funding to help them improve on their ideas and also inspire others. The more people are exposed to opportunities of this nature, the more hands and minds we have to work together. There is power in collaboration.”
Report Date...: 12/2/19
