Train 60 girls in computer coding in Afghanistan

With the release of the lockdown in August, Womanity ws able to re-open in-person activities and increase its offer to students by opening new courses in English, basic computer literacy, and introduction to coding. About 350 students are currently enrolled in our classes and expect to complete courses by the end of the year.

We are very proud that throughout the year, we were able to offer additional online courses to GCC alumni both organized by Womanity or by third parties ensuring that they will preserve their skills and learnings while waiting to join University. 

In parallel, Womanity is upgrading the computer labs in schools as well as upgrading hygiene facilities to allow a better management of rules related to social distance.

Finally, as part of the COVID relief support, we have organised a second round of distribution of food parcels directed at 160 families (students and schools’ staff) who are facing difficulties due to loss of income or jobs as a result of the pandemic.

Due to COVID19, the start of academic year, which usually is at the end of March in Afghanistan, did not happen and students were left home with limited possibilities to attend online /on television regular classes.

In this context, Womanity was able to quickly move all its vocational training courses online providing students with internet connection, a laptop (if not available at home) and more importantly with the possibility to continue some form of education.

Although the classes had more limited capacities than the in-person one to allow for interaction and sufficient internet bandwidth, we were able to support about 150 students divided in our English, computer literacy and coding classes. 

In parallel, Womanity identified families (in the schools’ communities we support) who, due to lockdown measures, were not able to provide for themselves and distributed to them food and sanitation equipment for one month. A second distribution is planned at in August/September 2020.

“At first, when I came to this course, it seemed very difficult. I did not think that I would learn all lessons and all these codes but after some time, the lessons became interesting and I was able to assimilate all the content. Now I have finished HTML and I can design basic HTML pages and giving style to them. I am really happy that the Womanity Foundation gives us this opportunity to study coding in a safe area and to have female teachers”. a student from the  Coding class.

Thanks to your wonderful support, the program completed another year with the following results:

• A total of 564 students completed a high-quality training (206 studying English, 210 studying ICT and 148 studying Coding);
• 6 role models talked to our students in person or via conference calls about their experience as women working in the IT sector in Afghanistan and across the world;
• 6 university students are continuing successfully their higher studies in computer science thanks to our scholarships;
• 81 students completed an entire cycle of the GCC course, by studying English, ICT and Coding

• 14 internships for GCC graduates in various sectors such as Web Design, Finance, IT, Marketing or Administration were carried out;

An external evaluator has confirmed that students have expressed increased feelings of self-worth, self-efficacy and self-confidence. Also, more and more students wish to enter the Tech sector after having completed one of the courses.

“Becoming a professional web-developer is one of my dreams; I saw some of movies about it. I thus wanted to know how to code. I started to code in GCC project. Now I can build a simple website page by my own. I am very thankful for my teachers and Womanity’s preparation of this great opportunity for Afghan Girls.” Coding student

“I am very thankful from Womanity and its team for the great program implemented in this school. As a father it is my responsibility to support my daughter in her education. However, due to our unfavourable financial situation, my family isn’t able to take full responsibility for her education. This program is therefore is a big help our daughter since I am confident that my daughter studies in a safe environment and has a polite and good female teacher.  I am glad the Foundation extended the classes to a winter program.” Father from an ICT student

Womanity thanks you for your precious support to contribute to a vocational training enhancing young Afghan women’s education in the Tech field!

“I always wanted to know how to code. There were times when I was watching my cousin, who had done his BSC in computer sciences, making a website for a client. When I asked him to teach me, he made fun of me by saying girls can't code. At that time, I promise myself that one day I’ll learn how to code, and I did. It is all because of Womanity and my lovely teacher”

The Womanity team thanks you for your support on the Girls Can Code project. Thanks to you your contribution we have:

• Continued and ended another year of high-quality training for approximate 438 high school girls in Kabul (212 studying English, 211 ICT and 150 Coding) [data up to November 2019];
• Introduced women role model working in the Tech Sector in Afghanistan and internationally;
• Organized 13 internships for former GCC students in various sectors such as Web Design, Finance, IT, Marketing or Administration;
• Provided scholarships to 6 motivated GCC alumnae now students in a Computer Science university faculty.

Girls Can Code builds the skills and confidence for young Afghan women to enter the labor force:

“In the future, I want to have my own hospital or clinic so I can help people. Through the skills obtained through GCC, I can connect to hospitals around the globe. Using computers and the internet, I can conduct research on different diseases.” Coding student

“Participating in ICT classes is the great opportunity in my life. Before this class I couldn't turn on the computer, now I can learn new things on computer related subjects and hope to learn more, thanks Womanity for creating this opportunity for Afghan girls.” ICT student

On behalf of the Womanity team we thank you for supporting young Afghan women to accomplish their potential to study and work the growing IT sector.

"I always wanted to know how to code. There were times when I was watching my cousin, who had done his BCS [qualification] in computer sciences, making a website for a client. When I asked him to teach me, he made fun of me by saying Girls Can't Code. At that time, I promise myself that one day I’ll learn how to code, and I did. It is all because of Womanity and my lovely teacher.” Girls Can Code student, Afghanistan

On behalf of the entire team at Womanity, thank you for your support for our Girls Can Code project in Afghanistan. Thanks to the support of people like you, in recent months we have:

• improved and developed new course curriculum and lesson plans
• delivered high-quality training to a total of 646 students (237 studying English, 225 ICT and 184 coding)
• helped eight former GCC students to find internships in a range of businesses and not-for-profit organisations
• provided scholarships for four particularly high-achieving students to continue their studies

Through this work, we are building the skills and confidence of young women, providing them with core skills to be able to enter the world of work. Below are some examples of the feedback we have received from our students:

“I want to study computer science in future and become a web developer […]. I am very happy for this course to be held because my family is poor and isn’t able to pay fee for courses. This course is a great opportunity for me to achieve my goals.” Coding student, Wahdat High School

“I'm excited to say that now I can make a responsive website. I am still learning but with my hard work I would like to become an expert web designer and developer in the future. […] Please continue this good work.” Coding student, Al Fatah High School

Thank you for helping these young women to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations. We will continue to keep you updated with the progress of our project in Afghanistan.