From left: Maureen Mwaniki, Huawei Kenya’s Director of Public Affairs; Khadija Mohamed, Media Director; Ian Korir, CSR Coordinator; Harriet Chiggai, President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights; and Gloria Wawira, National Youth Council CEO. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
Bridging Gender Gaps in STEM in Kenya
Despite the ongoing digital transformation in Kenya, women remain significantly underrepresented in the fields of science and technology. Experts believe that this transformation presents a vital opportunity to close the gender gap.
Forum for Change
Leading industry figures gathered at Huawei’s Nairobi offices for a stakeholder forum to discuss strategies for enhancing the inclusion of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Encouraging Female Participation in STEM
Harriet Chiggai, the President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights, passionately encouraged young women and girls to consider careers in STEM, emphasizing their important role in driving innovation and crafting solutions for contemporary issues.
“The world is evolving; digital skills are in high demand,” Chiggai stated. “Women contribute unique perspectives and inventive solutions crucial in enhancing science and technology. You are not mere participants; you are the architects of our future. So, embrace your potential, challenge societal norms, and allow your aspirations to soar,” she asserted.
Strategic Partnerships for Gender Equality
Chiggai underscored the importance of fostering strategic collaborations between public and private sectors to promote gender equality and innovation. She highlighted that Kenya’s digital transformation agenda offers equal opportunities for women and girls to enter and excel in STEM.
“This is our moment to innovate, lead, and break new ground,” she noted.
Celebrating Women and Girls in Science
To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Huawei Kenya organized the UniTech Talk, a forum aimed at promoting gender equality and highlighting the transformative capabilities of STEM in shaping Kenya’s future.
Championing Young Girls in STEM
Gloria Wawira, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council, echoed Chiggai’s encouragement, urging young girls to boldly pursue careers in STEM.
“Young people have the power to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Wawira stated. She emphasized the necessity of addressing gender stereotypes and biases to foster mentorship and leadership opportunities for women within STEM fields.
“The landscape of science and technology is rapidly evolving, presenting numerous career opportunities for women, ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to medicine and environmental sustainability,” she added.
Empowering Women Through Initiatives
Maggie Junhui, Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies, reiterated the company’s commitment to empowering women in STEM through initiatives such as Seeds for the Future and Women in Tech, which are focused on mentorship and leadership growth.
Additional programs like the Huawei ICT Competition, DigiSchool, DigiTruck, and the annual University Career Fair are designed to inspire young girls to enter the technology sector.
This year, among nearly 3,000 students participating in the Huawei ICT Competition, approximately 960—32 percent—were girls, with five qualifying for regional finals set for March 2025 in South Africa.
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Encouraging participation in these programs, Junhui emphasized that advancing women’s involvement in STEM is a strategic necessity and not merely a compliance issue.
“We acknowledge that diversity is more than a policy; it drives success. By collaborating with universities and other corporations, we strive to onboard more women and girls into STEM, ensuring a brighter collective future,” she explained.
Fostering Inclusion in STEM Fields
The Huawei Women-in-Tech Initiative brought together young girls, women, industry experts, and policymakers to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and explore avenues for meaningful inclusion in STEM-related sectors.
This forum also served as a vital platform for mentorship, sharing knowledge, and building relationships among industry professionals and young women pursuing STEM education.
