IamtheCODE: A movement for women empowerment in Africa
There are various platforms working over the field of education. The world is rising to a better tomorrow and for that it is trying to mobilise governments, its various sectors and the civic societies. It’s been long that numerous problems have harboured around the planet. With the kind of savagery inhabitants of the planet have been exhibiting, it’s getting difficult to save the resources for future generations. Various continents are using all means to eradicate the potential dangers and trying out technologies that can drive sustainable development for people in all marginalised communities.
One such movement is ‘I am the CODE’. Started in Africa, it’s a poignant and pivotal effort to mobilise governments and business houses to support women especially in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and Design). It’s about how one creates intelligent learning and tackles problems. Africa called the dark continent has had its share of problems. Its resources are not being used properly and poverty looms large on its people. Girl child is the most suffering one. One to lack education and technology, young girls grow up in slums, often getting lost into oblivion with very few chances of finding creative ways to live. It’s imperative that an effort is needed in the field of education to give a boom to their existence. If inclusive efforts are not used, these women shall lag far behind.
Marieme Jamme, the founder of ‘I am the CODE’ speaks in a very considerate way that, ”Not having the chance to attend school at an early age and having an opportunity for a formative education made me start this movement. I believe strongly that we need to help correct the failures of policy makers by investing in girls and women through creative learning and technology.”
Goals of the organization
Jamme’s movement is a direct participation in implementing the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development, especially to improve the economic status for girls. It’s a thought that if Africa wants to progress it has to invest in the young girls. It’s about finding a right code to support young women in finding work and becoming digital leaders. The movement is exemplary and plans to reach out to approx 1 million girls by 2030. The plan is to mentor and mobilise hundreds of marginalised girls into existing technologies and by providing them job opportunities. I am the CODE is a first up organisation that is recognised by the world economic forum, UBS, Microsoft, the UN high level economic empowerment and UN women for its methodology around the sector of education.
Impact seen in Ethiopia
In one such coding program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a four year programme was designed to help young girls with digital literacy, coding and personal development skills. During the course the girls will be trained as programmers, creators and designers and they shall take up courses in education and careers in ICT and coding. Girls will be able to break the hoodoo that only boys can do computer courses. The founder Marieme Jamme, speaks out in one of the videos how she faced the identity crisis, and while doing defect chores in the UK she started questioning, started challenging her problems, instead of the long narratives she went for simplicity and spoke about global development especially in the context of Africans. With the support of a few Africans she embarked on their journey of training and helping African women.
Impact on education in Africa
The impact of the CODE movement on education is huge. It gives the girl child pride and dignity and teaches them safety skills which in future empowers them to be entrepreneurs. The goal is also to set them free from the evil of trafficking which the founder had to suffer in her life. Implemented in more than 68 countries, the programme has helped to decrease child prostitution in slums, she also has put her point across by stating that Africans do not want to venture to Europe for better prospects. Her movement tries to help Africans within Africa by providing the base requirements. Almost 18000 young girls have been trained and exposed to the movement. In 68 countries, 200 volunteers and teachers are toiling hard to impart education. The movement has designed, implemented and evaluated tools and methods for its teachers and students and is revolutionising the scene by providing better pedagogical strategies. Technical, vocational and tertiary education including university will see a great change.
What can be achieved
The movement shall create a generation of female digital leaders who will take Africa to new heights. The girls will learn to thrive on new educational opportunities and get to feel the essence of empathy, kindness, trust and creativity. It will impact the abandoned, sexually abused and neglected young women of Africa. They will get in touch with successful mentors and seek tremendous experience from them. The education gained is child friendly and tends to see the sociology and psychology of education. It takes education as the total development of personality and believes that one can grow and establish in one’s own area. The words I am, help to create a personal bond and identity. It impacts the soul and changes it for betterment.
