It is 2017 and this means that embracing women in tech at various levels should be non-negotiable. This is especially for businesses and governments that intend to thrive.
Sadly, the media chooses to focus on trivial things about women. Like the size of their derriere. Or the fact that they are in their 30’s and still single.
This is not 1998. We surely have better things to discuss.
Do we even know that the first computer program was developed by a woman? Her name was Ada Lovelace or Augusta Ada King-Noel. This was in 1843.
In Kenya, the presence of a handful of women in tech is proof that we are no longer waiting for 103 years to achieve gender equality at the workplace. Women control a large percentage of consumers spending each year; hence, they deserve a place in various sectors. Technology included.
Women control a large percentage of consumers spending each year; hence, they deserve a place in various sectors. Technology included.
It cannot be business as usual if women are not part of the tech community. At present, there is only a handful of them in Kenya.
We have innovative women who are working hard to pave way for other women in the tech space.
Meet the extraordinary women in tech:
1. Judith Adem Owigar
Judith Owigar is an absolute gem. She is a bonafide member of the women in tech elite class. She has received recognition by world leaders for her work.
Judith is the co-founder and operations director of Akirachix. The organization seeks to increase the number of women in the tech space through providing training, mentorship, and outreach programs.
She is definitely not a stranger especially after the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit that was held in Nairobi. She had a chance talk about her journey and that of Akirachix in front of the former US President Barrack Obama.
The techie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Applied Computing, both from the University of Nairobi.
The platform has also enabled her to meet renowned personalities such as Melinda Gates, the founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2. Linda Kwamboka
Linda Kwamboka has appeared on the 2014 Forbes list of 10 Female Tech Founders to Watch in Africa.
She, Jamila Abass, and Susan Oguya are the founders of MFarm, a mobile software solution that seeks to connect Kenyan farmers with customers in both urban and export markets via SMS.
MFarm acts as a virtual marketplace and also provides recent retail prices information about farm products. The platform also allows consumers to compare prices from different farmers.
The company was founded in 2010 and has received funding of over $230,000 from Tech for Trade, a UK-based charity.
3. Martha Chumo
Chumo’s journey in the tech space is characterized by many rough patches and ugly bumps.
She hoped to attend the Hacker School in the U.S. but everything, including her pockets, said no. First, she could not raise the money for her airfare and the final blow came when she was denied a US visa.
Today, she is a self-taught programmer and founder of Nairobi Dev School. Chumo uses the school as a platform to equip young East Africans with computer programming skills.
That’s not all:
Chumo also assists her student to create technology solutions to deal with challenges around them.
4. Juliana Rotich
Juliana is a technologist and a Venture Partner in Africa Technology Ventures (ATV).
Juliana also co-founded BRCK Inc., a hardware and services company that seeks to enhance communication in low-infrastructure environments.
She is also the co-founder of Ushahidi Inc., a non-profit company that specializes in developing free and open source software to revolutionize information sharing.
5. Jessica Colaco
Jessica Colaco was the Founding Manager at iHub between 2010 and 2011. She also served as iHub’s Research Director between 2011 and 2013.
Colaco has been a champion for the adoption of technology solutions made in Kenya and Africa.
She has co-founded other tech companies including WMIAfrica, AkiraChix, Treasurers, and ISOC-Kenya Chapter.
By becoming part of the tech community, these women have proved that the underrepresented category is not women’s inherent place. They have what it takes. And they have proved it.
Do you know any women making a difference in the tech space? Let us know in the comments section.
Leave a Reply