Celebration of Girls in ICT Day 2025
Celebration of Girls in ICT Day 2025
Huawei Empowers Next Generation of Female Tech Leaders at JKUAT
To mark International Girls in ICT Day 2025, Huawei partnered with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for a high-impact mentorship and upskilling event. The session brought together 100 female STEM students under the theme “Bridging the Digital Divide through Leadership and Innovation.” It was part of Huawei’s global Women in Tech program and aligned with this year’s international theme: “Leadership.”
The event aimed to build confidence and equip young women with the skills to lead in tech. Participants received hands-on mentorship from industry professionals. In addition, they were awarded Huawei Cloud Certification vouchers—an important step in gaining a competitive edge in cloud computing.
Prof. Catherine Kunyanga, Associate Dean at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized the power of partnerships. According to her, both public and private sectors must work together to advance gender equality. She urged students to see technology not only as a career path but also as a tool for global problem-solving. “It’s not just an opportunity—it’s a call to leadership,” she said.
Celebration of Girls in ICT Day 2025
Tackling Barriers and Creating Pathways
Despite progress, women still face challenges in the ICT sector. For example, many girls don’t get early exposure to STEM, which limits interest and confidence. In addition, deep-rooted gender stereotypes continue to cast tech as a male domain. As a result, many young women are discouraged before they even begin.
Access to mentors is also limited. Meanwhile, rural communities often lack digital tools and connectivity. Even when women enter the field, unconscious bias and unsupportive work environments can block their growth.
Huawei is addressing these issues through several targeted programs. For instance, Seeds for the Future offers immersive training in emerging technologies along with cultural exchange. The Huawei ICT Competition challenges students to apply their technical skills to real-world problems. This year, nearly 3,000 students participated—32% of them girls. Five female students advanced to the Regional Finals in South Africa, scheduled for March 2025.
The company also prepares young professionals through its Management Trainee Program (HMTP). Moreover, Huawei partners with universities via the ICT Academy, Lecturer Training & Certification, and Job Fairs. These efforts help students—especially women—move from the classroom into the workforce with confidence.
Importantly, Huawei reaches younger learners through programs like DigiSchool and the DigiTruck mobile classroom. These initiatives, run in partnership with UNESCO, bring digital learning to even the most remote communities. As a result, more girls can discover STEM early in life.
“Increasing women’s participation in tech is about more than representation—it’s about results,” said Ms. Faith Mueni Kimanzi, IP Solutions Architect at Huawei Kenya. “Diversity isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a driver of success. Therefore, we’re committed to onboarding more girls and women into STEM through strong partnerships.”
Through mentorship, training, and inclusive programs, Huawei is doing more than opening doors for women in tech—it’s helping them lead the way.
