Initiative benefits more than 1,600 girls and young women in 11 countries

From student to leader

Pendo Vestine, a software engineering student at African Leadership University, is passionate about closing the gender gap in technology. She believes the most effective way to do that is to provide girls and women with accessto education , mentorship programs, and leadership development in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Vestine grew up in a community in the Gatsibo district of eastern Rwanda where girls’ education was not a priority. “I saw many promising girls denied the opportunity to study simply because they were girls,” she says. That injustice inspired her to challenge the stereotypes that hold women and girls back from technology.

“When a girl is given the right opportunity, she can change the future, not just for herself, but for her community. My dream is a world where every girl has access to quality education, the freedom to pursue her passions. It is a future where women can lead in technology, innovation and decision-making.”

Pendo Vestine

“My journey changed when I became a student at the African Leadership University, where I was immersed in an environment that was filled with leadership, innovation, and problem-solving,” Vestine said. “Meeting like-minded, passionate people inspired me to think and act for gender equality in education and technology. This is what drives me every day to create opportunities for the vulnerable.”

With that in mind, Vestine developed HerTek, an app that offers online technology courses and mentoring services to girls and young women. The app also connects with schools and universities to expand opportunities for women in the technology sector.

Breaking gender barriers

According to Pendo Vestine, barriers that prevent girls from pursuing careers in STEM include gender stereotypes, a lack of female role models in the tech industry, and the financial constraints girls face when it comes to accessing education and developing tech skills. “In many families, boys’ education is often prioritized over girls’. But I didn’t let these obstacles stop me,” she says. “I received a lot of support through mentorship programs, coding camps, and organizations that empower women in tech. Programs like the African Girls Can Code Initiative and SieMentEmpowHer changed my life. They helped me build my skills, believe in my worth, and believe in my abilities.”

#ForAllWomenAndGirls is a call to action to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. The world has made great strides in promoting girls and women in STEM since the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted in 1995. However, progress has been slow in rural areas, where resources are limited and gender biases persist. “To go further, we need to focus on these overlooked communities, break down gender stereotypes and ensure equal access for all,” Vestine stressed.

Source: UN Women

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/innovation-helps-more-than-1600-children-and-young-women-in-11-countries-20250418143102021.htm