Mozambique: Over 300 girls trained in basic programming through Code Like a Girl Program

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Mozambique: Over 300 girls trained in basic programming through Code Like a Girl Program

11:56 CAT | 29 Dec 2022

Image: Vodacom Moçambique

As part of the Code Like a Girl Program, Vodacom Mozambique recently held an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) marathon training session for girls, in various schools located in the southern and central regions of the country.

“The objective of delivering Code Like a Girl outside of Vodacom’s Headquarters and directly engaging the schools, is to ensure greater coverage and to offer young Mozambican girls outside of Maputo the development opportunities that we provide through this program. We observed from the girls trained that there is a lot of capacity for rapid assimilation, and we understand that it is the right thing to do if we want to accelerate the integration of women in STEM fields and technology in particular,” said Kátia Meggy Director of Human Resources.

Since the program’s launch in 2016, this is the first time Code Like a Girl has taken place outside of the Vodacom office, having been held in schools where the Vodacom’s Faz Crescer Program is being implemented. A program whereby the mobile operator offers computers to schools and provides free internet, with the aim of promoting digital inclusion and literacy. Hence, more than three hundred (300) girls were trained in this last edition alone!

Forty (40) girls were selected in each school, having started the program without knowing how to use a computer, however, after an intensive training, they were able to create a basic website using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

For the success of this initiative, Vodacom counted on the involvement of some developer communities, namely MozDevz, Maputo Frontenders and WansatiLab, which mobilized more than twenty-two (22) volunteers who went to all the schools where the project was held.

Seven hundred and seventeen (717) girls have been trained so far at national level, as part of the Code Like a Girl Program. The goal of this innovative program is to bring technology to more girls in the country.

The program, which is intended for girls between the ages of 14 and 18, aims to develop a set of skills in programming, as well as to expose them to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Source: Vodacom Moçambique / Press Release