On July 5-6, the German Development Agency GIZ organized a conference,  “Tech for Women”, in Yaoundé.  The conference aims to showcase the professional opportunities offered by the digital sector and encourage women into them. Indeed, women still remain largely underrepresented in the digital sector in Cameroon. In that context, the government and its partners are implementing various initiatives.

The said conference aimed to inform young girls and women about the solutions that can help them develop their skills and access the job market using ICT tools. "There is a disparity in terms of Internet usage and training for women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. GIZ, which now has a feminist strategy, intends to bridge this gap through global partners, particularly in Cameroon," said Abdel Agondo, manager of the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) project at GIZ. 

According to the 2015 annual report of the  Web Foundation, only 36% of women use the Internet compared to 45% of men in Cameroon. This disparity in access to resources and training in the digital field affects women's employability in a context where digital roles are considered jobs of the future. 

 The theme of this first conference, "Equal opportunities in the digital sector: promoting the development and empowerment of Cameroonian women and girls through ICT and digital transformation," is therefore highly relevant.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and Orange Cameroon, was open to all, although it specifically targeted females. It was also an opportunity for participants to exchange with their peers who have successfully established themselves in the digital field. One notable profile was Alvine Biroki,  the 35-year-old entrepreneur who created a startup specializing in the design and production of 3D plastic bottles. "We have already produced over 15,000 bottles. In terms of prototypes, we are currently at around 500. Our ambition is to have a wide range of products and designs and reach as many producers and consumers as possible," indicated the young woman who currently employs three people.  

For Stéphanie Inès Mbang, Head of Employment Promotion at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (Minefop), this GIZ initiative aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to support and empower women and girls in the digital field. According to her, gender inclusion in the digital world is necessary as it offers new opportunities for women and girls to become self-reliant through employment and training opportunities, as well as online commerce and digital marketing.

Patricia Ngo Ngouem