Breaking Barriers, Building Apps: Fahima’s Path to Empowerment

As we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Asante Africa Foundation recognizes young women like Fahima—trailblazers who are shaping the future of STEM.

Fahima joined our Asante Africa Foundation’s Digital Entrepreneurship and Employability Program (DEEP) last year with a deep passion for IT. Her inspiration came from seeing educated women in larger towns confidently using computers — something rarely encouraged in her own village. In her community, societal norms dictated that IT is a field for boys — and this made her hesitant to pursue her dream at first.

However, she was determined to change this mindset. She decided to take small but impactful steps that included fixing mobile phones and troubleshooting computers for her family and neighbors. This was her first step of proving that girls can excel in IT too. After joining our DEEP programs, Fahima gained essential computer skills, including hardware maintenance, Microsoft Word, Excel, and even earned a Google IT Support Certificate. Now, she is the go-to tech expert in her community as she provides much-needed support to those around her.

One of her biggest achievements is launching a delivery service business, powered by the very IT skills she once feared she wouldn’t be allowed to pursue. She is currently working on an app to enhance her business. This, in itself, shows that technology can be a powerful tool for innovation and empowerment.

Fahima’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when girls are given the opportunity to explore STEM. She dreams of inspiring more young women to step into the world of science and technology, undeterred by outdated stereotypes.

 Her message is clear: 

“With the right support, mentorship, and belief in their potential, girls can thrive in IT and beyond.”

She calls on organizations, governments, and communities to invest in programs that equip and encourage young women to take their rightful place in STEM. 

This Girls in Science Day, let’s commit to breaking barriers and uplifting future innovators like Fahima! At Asante Africa Foundation, we believe that we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to lead in STEM.