Code Clubs help to change the lives of vulnerable girls in Uganda

Vulnerable girls and young women in Africa have been getting a unique chance to learn vital technology skills in a safe space through the innovative Code Clubs project. 

The pilot project – designed to empower girls with technology through creativity and learning – has benefitted 700 females aged five to 24 in Uganda, Kenya and Senegal. 

Despite thousands of jobs being created in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries across Africa, gender discrimination, lack of access to education and technology means girls are kept out of the work force and unable to break the cycle of poverty.  

Sarah Brown, President of Theirworld said: “With a safe space to learn and play, a mentor to inspire, and access to technology to be able to explore, create, and code we can increase learning opportunities and empower girls to fulfil their potential. 

“Every girl should have the opportunity to go to school, learn, grow, and have a future they choose”.

The Code Clubs in Uganda are run by Women in Technology Uganda and supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Girls are taught a programme of online coding content by a trained teacher and mentor, and given access to numeracy, literacy, art and music to support their formal education. They also get a healthy snack during the class to keep up energy levels and improve concentration.

Barbara Birungi, Co Founder and Director of Women in Technology Uganda said: “Theirworld is #RewritingTheCode by changing the lives of girls across Africa with coding and technology clubs.”  

One aim of the project was to aid future mentors to set up and run their own tech hubs. 

Girls who completed the course were encouraged to return to mentor the next cohort of girls, enabling a self-sustaining model with community support, to augment the scalability of the project. 

Theirworld’s #RewritingTheCode campaign – launched for last year’s International Women’s Day – aims to raise awareness about the prejudice girls face globally, making this the moment we change gender stereotypes and discriminatory values for a generation of young women.