As the world marks Girls in ICT Day, attention is often placed on expanding digital access for girls. In northern Kenya, however, the focus has already shifted from access alone to active participation, where young women are using technology not just to learn, but to solve real community challenges.
In Garissa County, 60 young women participated in the “My First Tech Solution Hackathon” under the DigiKen programme supported by the Joint SDG Fund. Many participants had limited prior exposure to digital tools, yet within three days they began designing practical, tech-based solutions to issues affecting their communities.
The participants worked in teams to address pressing local challenges such as water shortages, lack of financial access, and gender-based violence. These were not theoretical problems but daily realities, which became the foundation for their innovation work during the hackathon.
For many participants, the experience was transformative. One young woman, Isnino Salad, said the programme helped her build confidence while working on a project addressing water shortages in her community. Others described similar shifts in mindset as they began to see technology as a tool for change rather than something distant or inaccessible.
Another group developed “She FUND,” a digital platform aimed at supporting women and girls in achieving financial independence through savings and financial literacy. For participants like 19-year-old Fardowsa Amir Murkiaji, the idea of financial empowerment became more tangible through the experience, reinforcing belief in long-term economic independence.
The hackathon also created space for leadership and advocacy, with participants taking on roles that addressed sensitive issues such as gender-based violence. One participant, Anzal Abdi, described her role in GBV prevention as empowering, allowing her to contribute to safer and more inclusive community solutions.
Behind the programme is sustained mentorship and technical support provided through DigiKen, involving experts from UN agencies and partner organizations. This guidance helped participants refine their ideas into practical solutions while building confidence and strengthening their digital skills.
Overall, the initiative highlights a broader shift from digital inclusion to digital empowerment. The projects developed by these young women contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goals such as gender equality, clean water access, decent work, and innovation, showing how local solutions can support global development priorities.
The experience in Garissa demonstrates that when access, mentorship, and opportunity come together, young women are not just participants in the digital future—they are actively shaping it.
