International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8, with a different thematic focus every year. This year’s theme centred on embracing equity, "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

For a long time, experts and officials have stressed that access to technology and digital inclusion should be strengthened to realise gender equality.

At an event organised by the Mastercard Foundation, EF Education First, and Norrsken, the keynote speaker, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said, "The idea of a digital revolution without gender inclusivity is unattainable. This is why the government has continuously and deliberately put gender at the forefront of discussions and policies in technology. And this starts with representation, having women represented.”

"The list of critics will always be over-subscribed, but the list of problem-solvers will always need more people. Make sure you are on that list. Be solution-oriented,” Akamanzi advised young women.

The event brought together more than 250 women (and male allies) from different walks of life, including corporate CEOs, government officials, entrepreneurs, creatives and particularly young women participating in a nationwide upskilling programme by RDB, the Mastercard Foundation and EF. The project helps youth in the tourism and hospitality sector empower themselves through a world-class English proficiency and communication skills programme.

In attendance were Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, Rica Rwigamba, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, and Dr Ron Adam, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Rwanda, among other officials.

"For greater inclusion and equality, there needs to be an equitable share of resources based on each person’s needs,” Julia Kennedy-Svensson, Regional Director of EF Education First, said.

"Equality means that each individual or group of people is getting the same resources or opportunities, whereas equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, different barriers and biases that they’re up against,” she said.

Equity aims to allocate the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

"Rather than giving everybody a shoe, we give everybody a shoe that fits. It is essential to recognise that equity is a process. It takes time, and we need to work on it every day. It’s up to us to constantly and consistently recognise and redistribute power – removing advantages and barriers so all individuals have fair and equitable treatment, access and opportunities,” Kennedy-Svensson said.

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EF Education First is an educational organisation that supports youth, particularly young women, to find and use their voices.

Since 2020, the organisation has trained over 8,000 male and female learners in the tourism and hospitality industry across the country. It aims to complete its enrolment target of 30,000 learners by the end of 2023. Registrations are currently open to anyone between the age of 15 - 35 studying hospitality-related courses or working in the industry and its larger value chain.

If you fit the criteria and would like to register your interest in participating, click here. Tourism and hospitality institutions interested in upskilling and empowering their staff should contact rwanda@ef.com.

EF Education First believes that educational technology can help drive gender equity by providing access to quality education to everyone.

"Language proficiency and communication skills enable women to assert themselves effectively and advocate for their needs, rights, and interests,” Kennedy-Svensson said.

By making educational materials, tools, and resources available online, students of all genders can access them and participate in learning more equitably.

During the event, there were panel discussions about the role of technology in realising equality. Rwigamba encouraged women to look at their careers in terms of mountains and valleys, not a ladder.

"Sometimes, the valleys [challenges] make you realise it is time to rethink. There will always be setbacks, but when you face them, take time to reflect and look around, opportunities will emerge,” Rwigamba said.

In his intervention, Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Ron Adam, suggested an initiative to help young graduates join the digital world, particularly those in rural areas.

"I suggest equipping 2,000 of the best graduates nationwide with a computer, a router and internet. I made my calculation. It will cost $120,000. But with that computer, they will be able to connect to the world,” he said.

Kennedy-Svensson complimented the suggestion and added that while infrastructure and access to devices and the internet are critical, relevant skills training should always accompany these efforts.

"English proficiency is an essential foundational skill to build digital literacy. Young people in Rwanda need adequate language skills to make sense of, interact with and take advantage of the resources and networks that the online world offers,” she added.