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    26Jan, 2019
    Women In Technology

    Technology, is assumed to be far-fetched, when it comes to women.  According to statistics, women make  20% threshold in the STEM industry.  With the advancement in technology, we now gradually see changes whereby more women are interested in studying STEM subjects and in this case, Technology.  Having been in a class dominated by men, the journey wasn’t easy at all. Deriving motivation from Ada Lovelace, who was the first  computer programmer, the future for Women in technology is brighter. Women techies  are seeking to tackle what most of our male counterparts do.

    Growing work force

    In Kenya, its particular to note that the numbers are rising. To mention but a few,  Judith Owiga of Akirachix, Jamilla Abass of M-farm and Cate Mahigu among others, show how technology has been embraced largely by women. They do take up competitive posts, innovate and work hard to bring out the best of Technology to the world.  In that context, it is noticed that many tech companies are now more open to employ as many women as men due to the same deliverables being offered. With everything being digitized, there’s urgent need of work force, that’s where women come in.

    Competition

    At work places, women do compete for the little top positions that are available in Tech companies. How ironical is it to be asked what an RJ45 is, however the same  isn’t being asked to their male counterparts. Even with the state of affairs, some individuals tend to think that women hardly know anything about technology. It’s a disadvantage, more likely, when searching for job placements. It places women to work a little extra harder to prove they are knowledgeable.

    Sadly, Gender disparity  is still being  experienced by women in Tech. We need to believe in women and also give equal opportunities to deliver. I have met great women techies who are an inspiration. Encourage the young folk to venture into STEM subjects, that’s where the world is heading to.  Challenging oneself to achieve what is unachievable. Lets have more lady engineers, scientists, techies and the world will become a better global village.

     

     

    Kindly share your sentiments on this,

           * How many women are in your IT department ?

    * Do you know any self-made woman techie ?

     

    9Jan, 2019
    Away with the holiday innuendos

    Its January, most dreaded month of all the 12 months in a year. Happy New Year! 2019 it is. Anyone with resolutions? From our side, None. Choose to live each day as it comes!

    The holiday season just concluded, all the merry-making, all the fun, family, booze and nonetheless illicit affairs that have lasted a fortnight…GONE! Christmas holidays act as a relief to many people, however to most, if it were scrapped off, the better. The well off families go on holidays, second class citizens find their ways to their villages and the so not lucky are stuck in the city.

    Families gather on this most crucial time of the year, celebrating what is mostly known as “Birth of Christ”. Woe unto those guys who come from divided families, those that don’t value oneness. It can be one hell of a lonely holiday. The prodigal sons of our land, finally find their ways back home. To some, this moment acts as a way to brag to their village mates….. Car hire swinging hired car keys left to right. Wonders, Don’t car Keys fit in Pockets? Lol, we have none of our own, so probably we have no idea! Ha ha ha

    To some, this season is just one hell of agony. Fares are hiked, one can’t travel to the countryside with the little they earned. Saving is out of the question, It’s too little to spare some for the coming hey days. Reasons why you see many families, heading to Uhuru Park to pass time and maybe let the little ones enjoy themselves on that little budget they have. On the other hand, its expensive traveling with the whole family, shopping and also setting aside some money to ‘pay’ some long-lost relatives who think the City has money growing trees. Quite unfortunate!

    January, and its back to business. All the fancy foods suddenly disappear. It takes wisest people who bravely brace the jaws of this month. Some people, end up taking too many loans to survive. Eating greens 24/7 heck, its healthy but maintain the previous month’s diet of “Nyam-chom” (Grilled meat), oozing down with brown bottled liquor. It gets more hard having a balanced diet for some folks who had spent their entire year’s savings on “Enjoying” the holidays.

    The ever ignored Mama mboga suddenly becomes a person of interest. The unending greetings prepare her for the worst. “I need a loan for Sukuma, weka na nyanya mbili tutaonana baadaye”,coming from a person who hardly buys from her. Its not mockery but come to think of it, isn’t this really funny?

     

    Schools reopen, and for families with school going children get the drill. Requirements’ list… a whole whooping A4 listing, demands! As a person who literally forgot that tomorrow is a stone-throw away, starts gasping for breath. Others did plan earlier, then comes the government with the confusion. Is it right to plan ahead without fear of impromptu changes? Sometimes it pains being a Kenyan. History has it, it’s the beginning of the month that lending societies and apps  have a feast. So many people to cater for, at exorbitant interest rates that they ignore to look at.

    Overspending had them begging for leniency with the schools, landlord and most service providers. Must stop?

    This moment is only great to ones who had themselves all figured out eons ago. Setting aside some small monies in regard to holidays. Planning ahead to enjoy all the 12 months of the year, rocket science but its possible. Luckier are the people who have their leave days in January, at least it’s less expensive. Hotel rates are down, not congested and pretty much more privatized. Serious business.

    Feel free to share your thoughts on this……