The tech industry has historically been dominated by men, however, there are inspiring stories of women who have succeeded in this challenging environment.

One such example is Jennifer Batamuliza, 33, whose journey to the tech industry serves as a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance.

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Batamuliza is currently a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, where she teaches IT courses at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology, a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Technology, and a PhD in Data Science, with a specialisation in Data Mining. Additionally, Batamuliza is the Head of the Data-Driven Incubation Hub.

Background

As a child, Batamuliza had big dreams of becoming a pilot, engineer, or doctor, all of which are in the field of sciences. Later on, it became clear to her that she would pursue engineering so that she could teach other children the same.

Her educational journey began in Kenya where she completed primary schooling. She then took her national exam in Rwanda and went on to study Ordinary Level in Gahini Secondary School before joining FAWE Girls School for A-Level studies.

Batamuliza says she chose the school because it had more computers, and while there, she would spend time in the computer room trying to explore and learn new things.

She says, however, she faced numerous challenges during her school studies.

"Despite topping the class, boys would tell me that as a girl, I would not succeed in science, which affected my confidence. Even my parents were not convinced that I could pursue a career in science,” she says.

Batamuliza also noticed that the number of girls studying science reduced as she progressed, with only six girls in a class of 60 students at the university.

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To overcome these challenges, Batamuliza says she focused on building her confidence and setting goals for herself.

"I also searched the internet for successful women in my field and tried to learn from them. I worked hard to educate society on the capabilities of girls and how hard work can help them succeed,” she says.

Empowering young girls in STEM

Batamuliza’s journey in the tech industry has not only been about her personal success but also about empowering girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

She believes that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions.

"While teaching at different universities, including UR and Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA), I realised that there were very few girls, especially in the IT department, and began to explore the reasons behind the issue.”

Batamuliza interviewed girls and women who were interested in science and technology and discovered that many lacked confidence, as they believed it was not a field for them due to cultural stereotypes and myths surrounding girls’ education.

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To address this issue, she started mentoring and inspiring them, getting them in touch with role models from the Rwanda Association of Women in Science and Engineering (RAWISE) who could share their experiences and how they overcame challenges.

She says the aim was to close the gender gap in STEM, thus visiting schools to train both students and teachers.

Batamuliza went further and founded another organisation called Rwa Tech Hub, where they provide hands-on training and skills development to girls, especially in technology.

"The training has helped many girls gain confidence in themselves and realise their potential in the tech industry,” she says.

Through her organisation, Batamuliza has trained numerous girls in different schools in Kigali and upcountry, which led to her winning the Science Leadership Award by the National Council for Science and Technology.

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Batamuliza says she used the award money to train 70 girls in Kigali, 30 in computer networking, and 40 in web development, further expanding her impact in empowering girls and women in the tech industry.

In addition to her work with RAWISE, Batamuliza has collaborated with other organisations such as AIMS and EdifyRwanda to train girls in schools with hands-on skills. She is also a consultant for UN WOMEN in their ‘African Girls Can Code Initiative’ programme. Moreover, she participated in the Mandela Washington Program for Young African Leaders and was awarded a fellowship.

She received a Link grant with a Zimbabwean woman to train girls in machine learning, won a Kenya-based Science and Technology Studies (STS) grant worth $20,000 for research in tech, and several other grants.

Batamuliza is also the local engagement coordinator for a programme called Tech Girls by the US Department of State, which mentors girls aged between 15 and 17 in tech.

Promoting gender equality in STEM

According to Batamuliza, to promote gender equality in STEM, there is "a need to mentor girls, provide them with role models, and influence policy, especially for private institutions, to include gender in their workforce.”

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She emphasises the importance of this in growing the country’s economy, as women often earn less than men in the same position.

Her advice to girls is, "Pursue your passions because girls are capable and need to work hard, be self-confident, persistent, set goals, and achieve them.” She also stresses the importance of delivering quality work, declaring that nothing beats deliverables.

Batamuliza’s goal is to see a reduced gender STEM gap, with girls having the freedom to pursue their desired careers, and believes in combining efforts with people from different sectors to achieve this.