Huawei Hosts UniTech Talk to Advance Women and Girls in STEM
In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS), Huawei Kenya hosted the UniTech Talk, a high-impact forum aimed at promoting the inclusion of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The event brought together young girls, women professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers to assess gains, address existing gaps, and explore opportunities in STEM education and careers.
The gathering served as a strategic platform for mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and leadership development, fostering critical conversations on gender equality in STEM and the sector’s role in shaping Kenya’s digital future.
Speaking at the event, National Youth Council CEO Gloria Wawira urged young women to embrace STEM boldly, highlighting its potential to solve pressing global challenges.
“Young people hold the power to drive innovation and address real-world problems. However, gender biases and stereotypes still hinder women’s full participation in STEM. We must break these barriers, strengthen mentorship, and create leadership pathways for women in technology,” said Wawira.
Making her remarks, President’s Advisor on Women Rights Harriet Chiggai, underscored the importance of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors to accelerate women’s inclusion in STEM.
She encouraged young women to leverage their unique strengths in driving innovation and problem-solving.
“Women bring diverse perspectives that enrich science and technology. You are not just participants you are the architects of the future. Step forward with confidence, challenge societal norms, and seize the opportunities ahead,” she urged,
Concurrently, CFO of Huawei Technologies Maggie Gao Chiggai, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to advancing women in STEM through initiatives such as Seeds4theFuture and Women in Tech (WIT), which focus on mentorship, leadership development, and digital skills training.
She also highlighted other Huawei-led programs like DigiSchool, ICT Competition, DigiTruck, and University Career Fairs, which provide young girls with early exposure to STEM education and career opportunities.
“Diversity is not just a policy it is a key driver of success. We are committed to onboarding more women and girls into STEM through partnerships with universities and corporations, ensuring a more inclusive and innovative future,” said Gao.
She noted that this year, nearly 3,000 students participated in Huawei’s ICT Competition, with 960 (32%) being female. Five young women have qualified for the Regional Finals in South Africa in March 2025, showcasing the growing impact of inclusion efforts.
Gao emphasized that as Kenya advances its digital transformation agenda, there is need to create environments where women and girls can excel in STEM, ensuring equal opportunities for leadership and innovation.
“Kenya’s digital economy presents boundless opportunities for women in STEM. It is time to innovate, lead, and break barriers,” said Hon. Chiggai.
The UniTech Talk not only celebrated the progress made in women’s inclusion in STEM but also reinforced the need for continuous investment in mentorship, education, and policy reforms to sustain this momentum.
