Alumna Reflection: A New Era for Sustainability
By Ivy Mwanza
Ivy recently earned her degree in Economics from University of Nairobi and holds a certificate in data science from Moringa School. This reflection was written in honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and celebrated on International Women’s Day.
It’s truly a joy to be part of the global celebration of The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, especially as we embrace the 2024 theme: ‘Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability’. This celebration holds significance as it underscores the vital role of women and girls in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) while advocating for equal opportunities and gender equality in scientific education and careers. As we focus on this theme, we equally celebrate the achievements of women and girls in science and look ahead to a future where their leadership paves the way for a more sustainable world.
The tech world (one that I am crazy about), is predominantly male-dominated, but recently, women have made deliberate strides to bridge this gap. The truth is, if we want to achieve holistic societal development, then the world of science and technology has to carry women and girls with it. As a data scientist myself, I am passionate about the impact my area of study could have on our communities. Science and technology can be used for the social impact mission to open doors to new possibilities. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something. You have to do something. In line with our theme, innovation and technology can support our work for gender equality and empowering all women and girls for sustainable development.
There is so much power in technology and how we choose to put it to use. Technology in itself has no gender, no age, no race, no class, therefore everyone must have access to it. The seed of a nation resides within the womb of every female, we should dare to believe we can transform the nation of tomorrow. Empowering a woman empowers the society. The International Day for Women and Girls in Science recognizes and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion in these areas that would otherwise not have any girl representation, we forge a better world. When women themselves are inspired to be included, there is a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Being a force for good means you are elevating and accelerating humanity. We should all purpose to amplify other people’s voices – in whatever sphere, amplify the work that others are doing and contribute to making sure that we are moving the continent forward, together. When a young girl is supported, she evolves into a free and empathetic woman. The world needs such liberated women, capable of leading and transforming societies, even scientifically. As women, technology allows us to regain control over our narratives and collective memories. In understanding that the broader field of science and technology is both a source and consequence of gender relations, we allow ourselves to reclaim and recreate the technologies essential to the advancement of gender and social justice.
I understand the empowerment and liberation that a good education comes with and I hope that a lot more women can experience that. My background in data science has made me adept in programming and querying languages, data structures, and algorithms. I have developed a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. Before being a data scientist, I am a girl, I am a woman. The world is my oyster and every other woman should be able to say the same!