Across Africa, the tech sector is growing rapidly, yet women and girls remain underrepresented, with less than 30% of STEM professionals in sub-Saharan Africa being female. Cultural stereotypes, limited resources, and a lack of role models keep many girls from exploring tech careers.
At All Things Programming, we’re changing that. Our mission is to break barriers, train female teachers as role models, and create inclusive learning spaces where girls gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities to lead in the digital economy.
The Gender Gap in Technology
- Global Picture: Women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce (World Economic Forum).
- Africa: Less than 20% of software developers and under 15% of AI professionals are women.
- Kenya: Girls perform well in STEM at the primary level, but participation drops sharply in secondary and university, with men outnumbering women in computer science and engineering by 4:1.
- Root Causes:
- Cultural stereotypes frame tech as a “male” domain.
- Early marriage, domestic duties, and limited internet/device access.
- Lack of visible female role models in tech.
- Impact:
- Girls risk exclusion from future jobs and entrepreneurship in the digital economy.
- Society loses diversity of ideas, innovation potential, and economic growth.
- Call to Action: Bridging the gender gap in tech is essential for equitable and sustainable development.
How All Things Programming Is Changing the Narrative
At All Things Programming, we firmly believe that every learner, regardless of gender, background, or location, deserves an equal opportunity to participate in the digital revolution. Therefore, our vision is to remove the structural and social barriers that prevent girls from thriving in technology, replacing them with pathways that lead to confidence, skills, and leadership.
To achieve this, we provide accessible coding programs designed to reach students in both urban and rural schools. Our curriculum is practical, engaging, and adaptable, so even schools with limited resources can introduce coding without needing a fully equipped computer lab. Moreover, by training teachers and supplying essential digital tools, we ensure that learning can continue beyond the classroom.
Ultimately, through these efforts, All Things Programming is not only teaching girls how to code, but also changing the way communities see girls in tech, proving that they can innovate, lead, and shape the future.
Training and Empowering Female Teachers
One of the most powerful ways to encourage girls to pursue technology is to show them role models who look like them, understand their experiences, and believe in their potential. Research consistently shows that when girls see women excelling in tech, they are more likely to develop the confidence to explore the field themselves. That’s why training and empowering female teachers is a central pillar of our work.
We actively recruit female educators from diverse backgrounds and equip them with practical skills in coding, robotics, and digital literacy. Our training programs are hands-on, blending theory with real-world projects so teachers not only learn the concepts but also how to make them engaging for their students.
Our approach includes:
- Practical skills training in coding, robotics, and digital literacy.
- Hands-on learning with real-world projects that teachers can replicate in classrooms.
- Teaching toolkits and aids for coding in resource-limited environments.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through online courses, peer learning, and mentorship.
- Deployment to underserved schools, where trained female teachers also serve as mentors and role models.
Through these efforts, we are building a growing network of women educators who are transforming classrooms into gateways for the next generation of female innovators.
Creating Girl-Friendly Learning Environments
For girls to thrive in technology, they need more than access to computers and lessons; they need safe, inclusive spaces where they feel supported, respected, and free to explore without fear of judgment. At All Things Programming, we design our learning environments to nurture confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
- Prioritizing psychological safety – Our classrooms are designed so girls feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and experimenting with new ideas.
- Inclusive teaching methods – Instructors are trained to encourage participation from all students through small-group projects, collaborative problem-solving, and real-life examples that connect with girls’ interests and experiences.
- Peer support networks – We establish girls’ coding clubs in schools, giving participants opportunities to work together, share challenges, and celebrate each other’s achievements.
- Sense of belonging – Clubs and group activities help girls see they are not alone, fostering mutual encouragement and community.
- Removing barriers to inclusion – By creating spaces where girls feel valued, we eliminate the fear of “not fitting in” and replace it with confidence, teamwork, and a shared belief that they belong in the digital future.
Programs and Initiatives for Girls
To create meaningful opportunities for girls in technology, All Things Programming runs targeted programs that address both skills development and confidence building. These initiatives are designed to be accessible, inspiring, and tailored to the unique challenges girls face in pursuing tech education.
Our key programs include:
- Girls Who Code Kenya (In-House Version) – A structured program that teaches girls programming skills through fun, hands-on projects. The curriculum blends creativity with problem-solving, enabling participants to design apps, websites, and digital solutions addressing real issues in their communities.
- Scholarships for Girls in Rural Areas – Financial support that covers tuition, learning materials, and in some cases, laptops or tablets, ensuring that location and cost are not barriers to accessing digital learning.
- Hackathons & Innovation Challenges for Girls – Exclusive events that provide safe, collaborative spaces for girls to showcase their skills, work in teams, and develop real-world tech solutions. Many projects have gone on to gain recognition in local and regional competitions.
Through these programs, we are not just teaching girls to code; we are equipping them with the mindset, confidence, and networks they need to shape the future of technology.
Breaking Stereotypes Through Early Exposure
Gender stereotypes about technology often begin forming at a young age, subtly shaping how girls see themselves and their career possibilities. By the time they reach high school, many have already internalised the belief that coding and engineering are “for boys.” At All Things Programming, we work to change that narrative early by integrating coding into early education, giving girls equal exposure to digital skills before these biases take root.
Our approach focuses on making coding both relatable and exciting:
- Early integration in education – introducing coding as part of everyday learning from the primary level.
- Relevant, real-world projects – examples include:
- Creating an app to share local environmental tips.
- Designing a simple game with cultural themes.
- Building a website to promote a school initiative.
- Hands-on, community-focused learning – projects tied to the students’ environment and culture to show the impact of technology.
- Confidence and competence building – empowering girls to see tech as a creative, problem-solving tool rather than just a technical subject.
By starting early and framing technology as a space where girls can solve real problems, we help them develop both the competence and the confidence to keep pursuing tech as they grow, dismantling stereotypes one project at a time.
Mentorship and Career Pathways
Skills alone are not enough to help girls thrive in technology; they also need guidance, encouragement, and real-world exposure. That’s why All Things Programming places mentorship at the heart of our gender inclusion strategy.
We connect girls with female tech professionals both locally and globally, creating a network of role models who can share their journeys, offer advice, and open doors to new opportunities. These mentorship relationships help girls navigate challenges, build professional confidence, and envision the diverse career paths available in technology.
Key program features include:
- Direct mentorship from experienced female professionals in software development, design, data, and other tech fields.
- Career talks & guidance sessions to explore diverse roles in the tech industry.
- Internship opportunities with partner organizations for hands-on experience in coding, data analysis, and digital marketing.
- Exposure to global networks through virtual meetups and collaborative projects.
- Active alumni network for continuous peer support, collaboration, and reverse mentorship.
By blending mentorship with career pathways, we help girls not only learn the skills they need but also see and experience the possibilities, ensuring they are equipped to enter the tech world with confidence and purpose.
Success Stories
Behind every statistic are real girls whose lives have been transformed by opportunity and support. At All Things Programming, these stories prove that with the right tools and encouragement, girls can excel in tech and inspire others.
Take Aisha, a 15-year-old from rural Kitui, who joined our coding club with no prior experience and developed a mobile app to help local farmers track weather. Now, she mentors younger girls, showing leadership starts early.
Our female teachers also break barriers. Ms. Wanjiku, trained in digital literacy, leads a girls’ robotics team that recently competed nationally. She says, “It’s more than teaching – it’s rewriting what’s possible.”
These stories show that when girls are given a chance, they create ripples of empowerment across their communities.
Building a Gender-Inclusive Tech Ecosystem
Empowering girls in technology goes beyond individual achievement. It fuels economic growth and transforms societies. Closing the gender gap in STEM could add billions to Africa’s GDP. Diverse teams drive innovation and create inclusive solutions. Providing girls with digital skills, from coding for beginners onward. helps them join and shape the workforce with fresh ideas and perspectives.
As more women lead in tech and entrepreneurship, they bring fresh solutions to healthcare, education, and environmental challenges. This creates a ripple effect: empowered girls become mentors who inspire others. Together, they build a community where technology is accessible to all. Investing in girls today means creating a future where opportunity is based on talent and vision, not gender.
To conclude, the journey toward gender inclusion in tech needs all of us. At All Things Programming, we’ve seen how a single opportunity, like a coding for beginners class, can transform a girl’s future and inspire entire communities.
To reach more girls, train female teachers, and expand into underserved areas, we need partners, advocates, and supporters. Together, we can ensure girls are not just consumers of tech but innovators and leaders driving Africa’s digital future.
