#SCAIWD2021: Choose To Challenge (Event Recap I)
Estrom Queen— one of the co-hosts for the day — kicked off the event by welcoming everyone and giving a brief overview of who we are and what we do and stand for at She Code Africa.
She Code Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating, encouraging, and empowering women in tech — tech queens — in Africa. We do this through our women-focused initiatives and programs. We’re focused on shattering bias, stereotypes and misconceptions about women in technology.
We had an exciting lineup of speakers and session topics during our international women’s day celebration. The sessions cut across leadership, software engineering, growth in tech, and even a session to encourage people who think they are too old to switch to tech.
Keynote Speech by Marlene Mhangami: From Challenge Comes Change
Marilyn is a Zimbabwean software engineer; she advocates using science and technology for the social good. She is the co-founder of ZimboPy, a director at the Python Software Foundation, and a software engineer at NVIDIA.
These past two years have been quite challenging; they brought on a huge opportunity for change and challenged many aspects of our personal lives. It has been a good opportunity for introspection and finding ways to change ourselves and our community.
African Women Leading At The Highest Levels In Technology
In this session, we are choosing to challenge the challenges women face while climbing the corporate ladder. Although this is spoken about a lot, there is a lack of black women, Africans specifically, leading at those high levels. It is something that we should pay attention to and challenge. How do we do this?
- Challenge Yourself
Before you start trying to change the world, you should look inward. Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight; leadership is a process that you have to grow into.
- Diligence: Many people underestimate how many opportunities are available and how many things can be accomplished by just showing up and doing something. As a person, woman, and software engineer, diligence is one of the most incredible things to have.
- Humility: As women who want to lead, grow, and change, humility should be a big deal for us. Humble people are teachable. As software engineers and leaders, you’re constantly getting feedback; you must learn how to take feedback. It is very crucial and will help you advance in your career.
- Creativity: This is a vital part of being able to change yourself. We are constantly evolving, and you have to be creative in how you present yourself and your ideas. How are you challenging yourself to be more creative in your personal branding?
2. Challenge The Narrative
Many stories are told every day about African women, who we are, and what we represent. Most times, these stories do not paint the whole picture. It could be overwhelming for us to challenge the narrative, but some women go ahead anyway. Some of them are Chimamanda Adichie, Nupita Nyong’o, and Ada Nduka Oyom.
“Those who tell the best stories shape the culture.”
What do you have to offer to the world? How are you telling your story? Take control and take charge; tell your story.
3. Challenge The Future
It is essential for us, especially those in leadership positions, to understand that our journeys are not just for our personal benefits alone. When we do well, we create an atmosphere for other people also to do well and thrive. We must consciously think about future generations.
“A mentor is someone who helps you see the hope inside yourself.” — Oprah Winfrey
There are so many people coming after us who should not have to face the same challenges we did. Be that person you needed when you were starting out for someone. Be a good mentor in your field. Uplift and support people publicly.
The Future Of Work: How Women Can Get Involved — Miracle Ewin
Miracle is a seasoned Digital Marketing Executive with extensive industry knowledge in Social Media Marketing and Advertising, Email Marketing, Google Ads, Chatbots and Analytics.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
We should understand where we are and what we’re currently doing before we begin to explore. The 4IR is the revolution brought about by bringing different technologies together to create a more innovative experience and interaction. This revolution brings about emerging technology breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, the internet of things, autonomous vehicles, etc. It is saying, “you think you’ve seen it all, but there is still so much more.”
Since technology is a tool to solve problems and problems are faced by both men and women, women should not be left out of tech. Although we now have women who code, women in AI and other tech fields, there is still a gap that has to be closed.
What is the future of work?
It is the application of technology to improve the workspace. It is also the inclusion of tech, leading to a change in the conventional workplace, e.g. remote jobs, gig economy, etc.
While growing up, our parents wanted us to be lawyers, doctors, etc., the ‘conventional’ jobs. Marketing was seen as ‘the beggar’s job’ because they used to go from door to door to publicize their products. Now, we see and are aware of digital marketing and what it entails. People have built successful careers in this field.
You can be intelligent and talented but lack the skills necessary to maintain your relevance as evolution occurs, so you do not become obsolete. As a woman, you should know digital marketing, data analytics, IT security, emerging technologies, SEO, or content development. It would help if you equipped yourself with these skills to face the world that is coming. Chase knowledge and expertise first, then money will come.
Equip yourself with skills to face the world that is coming so you can not only become relevant but also stay relevant.
View Miracle’s Slides. If you missed the event, you could watch it here.
