Goma, a city located at the foot of the Nyiragongo volcano in the North, is the tourist capital of the DRC. However, it is also constantly under threat from a meromictic lake that quenches its thirst, while also potentially producing a lethal gas explosion.
Faced with this contradictory reality, the citizens of this city, primarily the youth, have built resilience through innovation and entrepreneurship. Young girls are not left behind.
The digital sector, long dominated by men in the region, is slowly integrating young girls who are fighting with multidimensional skills and challenges to survive.
A few years ago, owning a computer was a luxury reserved for men. However, the boom in Information and Communication Technologies since the 2000s has revolutionized gender progression.
To complete their studies, every student in the digital field now needs a computer. This requirement has demystified the role of the computer, transforming it from a luxury item to a tool that facilitates a career.
The job of a web developer is challenging and seems to offer fewer opportunities to women. Women are scarce in programming environments where coding, beyond being a source of stress, is a playful activity, especially when they have mastered the trickery and multiple possibilities of setting an algorithm to innovate various life situations.
This demanding task, requiring both concentration and ingenuity, seems to be reserved for only the gifted, with the risk of mental illness.
Lucien Azmayawa, a 30-year-old digital sector influencer, stated at a recent Brainwash event that women, particularly those daring to venture into the digital field, remain vulnerable due to societal considerations. Despite this, 42% of the economic fabric in the DRC is managed by women, according to estimates.
Ancilla NSIMIRE, an Information Manager, graphic designer, and community manager, has paved her way in the digital field through hardship and dedication. She believes that women’s contribution in the programming field is significant as they can bring a different experience and diversity.
According to Ancilla, a feminine touch in coding lines can create an innovation that humanity needs. The presence of women in programming allows for inclusion and the training of a new generation. She believes that if women give more, they can create new solutions.
Flavien MUHIMA from Goma
