Girls Tech Camp

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, Nervtek Education organized the Girls Tech Camp 2026, a special initiative created to equip young girls with practical digital skills, creative exposure, and mentorship opportunities within the technology space. This year’s International Women’s Day was celebrated globally under the theme Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, centered around Giving to Gain. This theme highlights the need for intentional efforts that create opportunities, access, and support for women and girls in all areas of development. In line with this vision, Nervtek Education chose to celebrate the occasion through action by creating a learning environment where girls could be trained, inspired, and exposed to the growing possibilities within design and digital innovation. Held in two phases, the camp brought together young girls from different backgrounds who were eager to explore the opportunities available in tech. Through both online and onsite sessions, participants were introduced to meaningful conversations, practical training, and collaborative activities that made the experience both educational and impactful.   Laying the Foundation with the Online Session The first phase of the Girls Tech Camp began on the 9th of March 2026 with an online session hosted on Google Meet, which recorded an attendance of over 65 girls. The virtual session focused on conversations that were important for the personal and professional development of the participants. The first presentation was delivered by Miss Martha Agbornyenty, who spoke on maintaining good reproductive and mental health. Her session emphasized the importance of self-awareness, healthy living, and emotional wellbeing, reminding participants that growth in any career begins with taking care of oneself. Participants also had the opportunity to learn from Ngumih Fien, who shared her journey of transitioning from a student to a UI/UX designer. Her story gave the girls a clearer understanding of what it takes to build a career in the digital design field and encouraged them to see technology as a space where they too can grow. Another insightful session was led by Nana Lynn on personal branding and building an outstanding LinkedIn profile that attracts recruiters. Participants were guided on how to position themselves professionally online and how to make use of digital platforms to access career opportunities. These sessions gave participants the right mindset and motivation ahead of the physical training.      Practical Learning at the Nervtek Maker Space The onsite phase of the program ran from the 24th to the 28th of March 2026 at the Nervtek Maker Space, with 13 girls taking part in an intensive five-day practical bootcamp. The training started with a session on creative thinking handled by Sir Arnold Sigala. Participants were introduced to the mindset of a designer and were taught how creativity plays a major role in solving problems and communicating ideas effectively. This was followed by sessions from Engr. Njita Arnaud on the principles and elements of graphic design. Here, participants learned the basics of good visual communication and were introduced to important concepts such as balance, contrast, typography, alignment, and color use. After understanding the theory behind design, the girls moved into the practical aspect where they were taught hands-on graphic design using Canva and Adobe Photoshop. This gave them the opportunity to create designs themselves while becoming familiar with industry relevant tools.   Understanding AI in Design A major highlight of the camp was the session on Artificial Intelligence in Design, facilitated by Engr. Chung Ndansak. During this session, participants were introduced to how AI tools can assist graphic designers in idea generation, content creation, and improving workflow. They were shown that while creativity remains human, technology can make the design process faster, easier, and more effective when used correctly. This exposure helped the girls understand that the future of design is changing and that learning to work with modern digital tools is now an advantage. Group Challenge and Pitch Session To put everything they had learned into practice, participants were grouped into teams and given a flyer design task under the supervision of their instructors. Each team was given two hours to come up with a concept and produce a complete flyer using the principles and tools they had learned throughout the week. The exercise pushed them to think creatively, work together, and apply their new knowledge under time pressure. After the design session, the groups were asked to present and pitch their work. They explained their ideas, design choices, and the message behind each flyer. This part of the training helped to build confidence, communication skills, and the ability to defend creative decisions. It was clear from the challenge that the girls had made significant progress within just a few days of training. Closing on a High Note The final day of the camp was a memorable one as participants were awarded certificates and presented with branded T-shirts in recognition of their participation and commitment throughout the program. Beyond the certificates and souvenirs, the camp ended with smiles, photographs, shared excitement, and a visible sense of achievement from the participants. What started as a learning opportunity became a space where creativity was developed, confidence was built, and new interests in technology were awakened. Each participant left with more than just design knowledge. They left with practical exposure, inspiration, and a better understanding of the many possibilities available to them in the digital world. Creating Real Opportunities for Girls in Tech The Girls Tech Camp 2026 served as Nervtek Education’s practical contribution to this year’s International Women’s Day theme, proving that empowering women and girls begins with creating access to knowledge, tools, and supportive communities. By combining mentorship, wellness conversations, graphic design training, AI education, and teamwork, the program provided participants with an experience that was both educational and inspiring. As conversations around women’s empowerment continue globally, initiatives like this remain important because they move beyond advocacy and create visible impact. Through programs like the Girls Tech Camp, Nervtek Education continues to build spaces where girls can learn, create, and confidently prepare for the future.    

                                                       Increasing Girls’ Interest in Technology Technology plays a central role in today’s world, from how we communicate to how we live, work, solve problems and create new opportunities. Yet, despite its importance, many girls are still less likely than boys to explore careers in technology and science. This is not because girls lack ability or curiosity, it’s largely because the systems around them have not always supported or encouraged their interest. They often face barriers that stop them from fully exploring their potential. Technology is no longer an optional skill; it is essential for opportunities in higher education and the jobs of the future. The United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has said, “We must ensure that every girl can imagine a future in STEM, and that every woman can thrive in her scientific career.” This means helping girls see technology as something they can do and belong in. Yet UNESCO data shows that in many countries only a small fraction of technology workers and digital experts are women, and girls are still less likely than boys to learn digital skills. Studies show that girls and women are under‑represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields worldwide. Meanwhile, research also suggests that girls actually show interest in science and technology at early ages, but that interest often fades as they get older — not because they don’t have the ability, but because they don’t always get the right support or environments to develop it. What Prevents Girls from Choosing Tech There are several reasons why many girls step away from technology subjects as they grow up. Here are some of them. Stereotypes and early biases Girls are often influenced by the belief that tech careers are “for boys,” or that such careers are difficult and not welcoming. Many of them grow up in communities where technology and engineering are seen as “boys’ subjects.” These ideas can be subtle, like teachers calling on boys more often than girls during science classes, or media showing mostly male engineers and programmers, but they add up. Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, known for her research on confidence and mindset, explains that belief in one’s ability positively affects performance. If girls are conditioned to think they are “not tech people,” they are more likely to avoid tech when choices arise. This makes early encouragement essential. Misconceptions About the Field Many girls grow up thinking technology is just about coding or working on computers all day. They lack understanding of how it can be used to make a societal impact or solve real problems like improving healthcare, creating apps for farmers, or developing solutions for local businesses. Because they don’t understand the bigger picture, tech can feel abstract or uninteresting, even though it has much potential to make a positive impact. This misconception can make girls less likely to explore technology. Limited Exposure and Encouragement Another challenge is that many girls simply don’t get enough opportunities to explore technology in a supportive way. Some girls simply are not given the same chances to explore technology through school projects, clubs, or digital experiences as boys. Without practical experience, guidance, or encouragement, girls can lose confidence in their abilities or never realize that a career in technology is possible. Mentorship, workshops, and community programs have been shown to make a huge difference in keeping girls interested and confident in tech.       Because of these, girls often begin to doubt their skills and shy away from subjects or careers that involve technology, even when they initially enjoy them. How We Can Inspire More Girls to See Tech as a Future Path The good news is that research and programs around the world show clear ways to help girls stay excited about technology. Here are practical steps that schools, families, and communities can take: Introduce technology early Girls should be exposed to tech ideas and practical digital activities from a young age, not just in theory but through real experiences like building simple websites, games, robots, or solutions that solve everyday problems. Providing this early exposure helps them build confidence and keeps their curiosity alive. Show positive role models When girls see women who are successful in technology, it creates something in them: someone they can relate to and aspire to become. This could be through classroom stories, guest speakers, or media that highlight women inventors, engineers, and tech leaders. Support through mentoring and clubs Programs like Nervtek Girls’ BootCamp, where young girls work in teams to learn technological tools practically and tech projects that address real problems, show how mentoring and teamwork can inspire girls’ interest and build real skills. In Africa, initiatives such as Girls in ICT Day bring girls together with women leaders in technology for workshops, training, and networking, giving them guidance and real connections in the tech world. These help young women in STEM fields understand career paths and build confidence. Make tech matter to their lives Girls are more likely to stay interested when technology is connected to issues they care about, like solving community challenges, making life easier for others, or building tools that help their families and the community. Applying tech to real‑life problems makes learning more relevant, interactive, and exciting. Encouraging girls to engage with technology is not just a “nice idea”, it is something that benefits all of society. When we support girls to pursue STEM paths, we open doors to innovation, economic growth, and stronger communities. Giving girls equal opportunities in tech helps ensure a more diverse and creative world of problem‑solvers and leaders.