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Girls learn how to assemble a Kano computer kit at a �鶹APP Code Club in Uganda��Picture: Women in Technology Uganda

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Barbara Birungi was one of the few women to work at a software development consultancy in Uganda. In Africa, she explains, different priorities are attached to men and women �鶹APP� and it is often the girl who suffers.

Today, on , we are reminded of the importance of all children�鶹APP�s rights �鶹APP� regardless of gender.

For Barbara the day means �鶹APP�recognition�鶹APP� �鶹APP� to recognise that girls have the right to learn and make their own decisions, without being forced into early marriages or being subject to violation and abuse.

Despite the country�鶹APP�s implementation of the Universal Primary Education scheme to provide free schooling for underprivileged children, the reality is that many parents cannot afford to send all their children to school because of associated costs such as uniforms, books and pens.

Girls�鶹APP� education is compromised when families are forced to make a choice about sending their daughter or son to school.

These decisions, and many others made throughout a girl�鶹APP�s life, affect who they are and what they want to be.

�鶹APP�Most women are employed in HR, secretarial and administration positions,�鶹APP� says Barbara, �鶹APP�And there is a lot of scepticism around getting girls into technology, especially as it is a relatively new field in Africa.�鶹APP�

A girl at the �鶹APP Code Club in Uganda learning how to code��Picture: Women in Technology Uganda

But she does not shy away from the challenges and set up (WITU) to motivate and encourage girls and young women in to the technology sector and to provide them with the support needed. WITU now benefits more than 350 girls a year.

Barbara explains: �鶹APP�It is important for more girls and women to get into technology because there are certain challenges specific to women, that only women are able to solve. If a man tries to solve these, he may not hit the nail on the head.

�鶹APP�Diversity is also incredibly important and by having two genders at the top of an office it is better than just one�鶹APP�.

Barbara believes that technology can help solve some of Uganda�鶹APP�s unemployment issues, particularly as the sector is expanding across the country.

Some of the girls who join WITU have no experience in technology. But, through developing key skills and receiving the support, girls have gone on to start their own companies.

�鶹APP�One of the girls that came to us had dropped out of school and came to us saying she was very good at tailoring, so we taught her about e-commerce,�鶹APP� says Barbara. �鶹APP�She created an online store, has been able to hire other young tailors and see her business grow to become profitable.�鶹APP�

Barbara emphasises the importance of introducing girls to technology at an early age. She says: �鶹APP�it is important to give them [girls] a chance to see that the tech field can be fun and presented in a way that looks attractive to women�鶹APP�it is not true that boys do better than girls, young girls are at the same level �鶹APP� they are curious, want to explore and learn.�鶹APP�

Watch our video about �鶹APP Code Club in Kenya

are one way in which girls can engage with technology at an early age in a way that�鶹APP�s fun and creative. WITU has partnered with the children�鶹APP�s charity �鶹APP to run Code Clubs for girls aged six to 25.

Girls assemble their own kit computers supplied by Kano and they learn coding and programming. But they also go to the clubs and develop their life skills and confidence.

Barbara says: �鶹APP�When a girl is able to put together a computer and the light comes on and it works, that is a moment that you can never take away from her. At that moment, she falls in love with technology.

�鶹APP�The Code Clubs are a safe space where these girls come, learn their rights, develop their confidence�鶹APP� and they aren�鶹APP�t afraid to talk about the challenges they are facing�鶹APP�.

As we reflect on how we can protect children�鶹APP�s rights this International Day of the African Child, Barbara reminds us of the importance of knowing one�鶹APP�s rights.

She says: �鶹APP�Knowing your rights empowers you to be able to fight for them. In this world it�鶹APP�s all about working hard and being who you want to be.

�鶹APP�It shouldn�鶹APP�t ever be that you can�鶹APP�t do things because you are a girl. Being a girl is power.�鶹APP�

Barbara is one of the teachers at �鶹APP�鶹APP�s Code Clubs. At the Clubs girls learn how to code, foster creative thinking and develop important knowledge and skills for the future, all in a safe learning space. The Code Clubs are supported by donors including the players of People�鶹APP�s Postcode Lottery. For more information, visit .