A groundbreaking initiative for cybersecurity in Kumasi offers free cyber security training for young women, aiming to bridge the gender gap in tech. Join the movement to empower women in cybersecurity!
In the heart of Ghana’s bustling city, Kumasi, a groundbreaking initiative unfolds to mark International Women’s Day 2024. A collaborative effort by the Slamm Foundation, International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), and Yadaba Communications is set to transform the landscape of the tech industry. From March 4 to 8, these organizations are offering a free, one-week intensive training for cybersecurity in kumasi for for young women aged 20 to 36. This initiative, aligning with the ‘Inspire Inclusion’ theme of the 2024 IWD campaign, aims to bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity, a field where women have been historically underrepresented.
Addressing the Gender Gap with Practical Skills
Fransisca Boateng, the Director for the Slamm Foundation and COO for Slamm Technologies, highlighted the critical need for such programs. “Women have not traditionally been encouraged to pursue STEM careers,” she noted, underscoring the necessity of making cyber skills accessible beyond formal IT degrees. The program promises a comprehensive learning experience, covering cybersecurity fundamentals and the latest industry trends. It responds to the alarming statistics revealing a notable decline in girls pursuing IT, tech, or computer classes beyond primary school, with only 3% of women with IT tertiary education working in cybersecurity.
Inspiring Inclusion and Empowerment
Dwan Jones, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ISC2, and Mabel Ocansey, Public Relations Executive at Yadaba Communications, emphasized the program’s role in equipping participants with valuable skills and inspiring them to pursue meaningful careers in cybersecurity. This initiative is not just about skill development; it’s about changing narratives and inspiring a new generation of women to see themselves as integral parts of the tech industry. By providing these opportunities, the collaborators are addressing both the skills gap and the confidence gap that many women face in STEM fields.
Creating a Ripple Effect for Future Generations
The initiative in Kumasi is part of a broader movement towards gender equality in the tech industry. Similar efforts, such as the partnership between REGnosys and WISE, and the She Code Africa Academy Program funded by FedEx, underscore a growing recognition of the need to empower women in STEM. The Erasmus+ Programme also emphasizes the importance of increasing girls’ participation in ICT through impactful policy interventions. These initiatives collectively signal a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable tech ecosystem, where women’s contributions are recognized and celebrated.
As Kumasi prepares to host this transformative program, the message is clear: the time for inspiring inclusion and empowering women in cybersecurity is now. By investing in the potential of young women, the Slamm Foundation, ISC2, and Yadaba Communications are not just closing the gender gap; they are opening a gateway to a more diverse, innovative, and secure digital future.
Source: BNNBreaking