Girls in ICT Day: Shaping an Inclusive Digital Future for Rwanda

As Rwanda continues to accelerate its digital transformation journey, one reality stands out clearly: the future of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) must be inclusive. In the spirit of celebrating Girls in ICT, we appreciate the number of young women entering the digital and STEM space which is steadily increasing, with girls now representing nearly half of STEM students at secondary level (48.7%), though their share stands at 38.7% in higher education. 
ICT is no longer a field reserved for a few. It is the backbone of modern economies, driving innovation, communication, education, and business. In Rwanda, efforts to expand digital literacy and access have opened new doors for young people across the country. Among them, girls are increasingly taking their place in classrooms, coding clubs, innovation hubs, and tech-driven initiatives. Inema Uwizeye Rita, who made an application called kira App that tracks the users mood, provide music recommendations (music therapy) , mental health resources and connects users to therapist online encourages shares what it means for her to be a girl in the ICT:
‘I really felt proud of being a girl in ICT when i was invited to a regional conference of Women in Stem organized by MINICT and WIPO. I got to meet many amazing women in the sector and though I was probably the youngest of them all I was reminded of the big opportunities that we have as women in ICT and that there are so many successful women with that passion. To the girls who are still hesitant to join ICT, I could tell them that technology is now more open than ever before to everyone. We should shift the mindset that it is a field of men only, and with where the world is going it will be hard for technology resistant people to survive. So this is the time to join the field’.
This shift is not only encouraging, it is essential. When girls are included in ICT, societies benefit from diverse perspectives, stronger problem-solving, and more inclusive innovation. From software development to data science and digital entrepreneurship, girls are proving that talent knows no gender, supported by growing female participation in STEM fields and expanding access to ICT in education (40.8% of schools).
However, challenges still exist. There are still girls who face barriers such as limited access to advanced digital tools, lack of mentorship, and societal stereotypes that discourage them from pursuing STEM-related careers. Addressing these gaps requires collective effort from educators, policymakers, families, and the public and private sector. 
Initiatives across Rwanda are already making a difference. ICT training programs in schools, digital skills workshops, and national campaigns promoting STEM education are empowering more girls to explore technology with confidence. These efforts are helping to build a generation of young women who are not only users of technology but also creators and leaders in the digital space.As more young people build websites, applications, and digital services, girls must be at the center of this transformation. 
As we mark Girls in ICT Day, the message is clear: inclusion is not optional, it is necessary for progress. Rwanda’s digital future will be stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable when girls are empowered to participate fully in ICT. 
Girls in ICT are rising, and they are ready to lead.