Women in Technology have played a huge role in the development of technology and tech – enabled solutions globally. There are several challenges in the space including negative stereotypes that traditionally exist and still keep women, more so Kenyan women from pursuing STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math) careers.
Women are generally reluctant to talk about their own accomplishments, yet they have no problem singing the praises of their friends and colleagues. However, today women in tech are bragging of their achievements in the Tech space.
#WITBragday has been running globally following the recent dismissal of leading Tech company Google’s software engineer. This engineer wrote an internal memo that questioned the company’s diversity efforts and argued that the low number of women in technical positions was a result of biological differences instead of discrimination. Kenyan women in technology joined in as well;
A few years ago I got recognised by South African Gov first ever commendation by parliament for my PhD CS work, @ummeli #WITBragDay
— Shikoh Gitau (@DrShikoh) August 12, 2017
Oh yah I was the first @Google UXer from Africa , first Anita Borg Scholar from Africa, #WITBragDay #WITBragDay
— Shikoh Gitau (@DrShikoh) August 12, 2017
Didn't grow up with computers. Learnt Programming 1st at Uni. Graduated 1st class Maths & CS. MSc at my dream Uni, Oxford. #WITBragDay 1/2
— Dr. C (@chao_mbogho) August 12, 2017
Overcame a major personal challenge & completed PhD CS in 3 years. I am a founder of an active mentorship prog for CS students. #WITBragDay
— Dr. C (@chao_mbogho) August 12, 2017
First woman from Africa to represent her country in the @IBM Master the mainframe world championship! #WITBragDay
— Margaret (@Ms_Ondeng) August 12, 2017
Started a club for girls to teach them coding and web literacy skills and got recognition from UN Women #WITBragDay
— Joy Bii (@chebetbii) August 12, 2017
Grew the @GoogleDevExpert #GDE program in Africa by +40% while @Google including the 1st female Android #GDE & WebTech #GDE #WITBragDay
— Mercy Orangi (@mercy_orangi) August 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/bubobuubo/status/896275697928470528
I represented Kenya at the Miss Geek Africa competition held in Kigali and won @evangelinechao #WITBragDay
— Waiganjo (@waiganjo_njeri) August 12, 2017
Taught myself Python after struggling with coding in uni & now the top Google search result for "Flask CRUD app" is my tutorial! #WITBragDay pic.twitter.com/A2rhtoNxG9
— Mbithe (@mbithenzomo) August 12, 2017
Dedicated my college life to building Developer Communities, founding my own start-up and can build damn good Android apps. #WITBragDay
— Roina Atieno Ochieng 🇰🇪👩🏾💻 🦄 (@RoinaOchieng) August 12, 2017
I attained First Class Honors in my @MiddlesexUni Information Systems Degree even though I was undergoing chemotherapy by then #WITBragDay
— Sitawa #BeSafe #GetTheVaccine (@jossita) August 12, 2017
More vim to these amazing Women in Technology, for being the leaders in this space and encouraging the younger generation of Women in Tech!