AFCHIX Role Models
Inspiration
AFCHIX Role Models
“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
Only around 30% of people working in the ICT sector are women – and there are even fewer women in senior or management roles. This seems unlikely to change if women continue to represent only 35% of students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study.
AFCHIX realises that we cannot simply encourage girls to enter the tech space. We need to provide them with role models that can help them believe that women can, and do, excel in this field. Girls cannot simply be told to dream. We need to teach them how.
In 2016, AFCHIX won a FIRE Africa Community Development Grant to document the stories of successful African women in the ICT sector. We hope to continue to inspire the next generation of African women in tech as we celebrate those who are breaking barriers in
the field today.
Prof Anicia Peters
Computer Scientist & Researcher
NAMIBIA
“For girls to be successful, they only need to believe in themselves and take up the opportunities. Most importantly, they should never doubt that they can be successful.”
Jane Langoi
Project Manager and Wireless Technician
TANZANIA
“There is this mentality that mathematics and science are tough, so a woman cannot take those studies. But I am telling you, you can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Dr. Kaoutar El Maghraoui
Research Scientist
MOROCCO
“My advice to young women joining our field is: just be yourself and be confident, and you can really do amazing things. The field of computing and STEM is too important to be left to men alone.”
Hejer Kahlaoui
IT Manager
TUNISIA
Stella Uzochukwu-Denis
CEO & Founder, Odyssey Educational Foundation
MUMBAI, INDIA
Fatimata Seye Sylla
Technical Lead
SENEGAL
Grace Pisirai
Electrical Design & Test Engineer
ZIMBABWE
Bih Janet Shufor
Manager, Tassah Academy
CAMEROON
Evelyn Namara
Technologist and Entrepreneur
UGANDA