The Impact of Django Girls Workshops in Ghana

This blog post was written by Noah Alorwu. Thank you, Noah :)

Women have been underrepresented in Technology, especially in our part of the world where it is the general conception that “women should only be concerned with domestic activities such as cooking, washing, and other basic house chores”, and even if a girl child is to be educated, she should settle for meagre roles such as teaching, nursing, or general administrative roles in the corporate ecosystem.

Initiatives such as Django Girls workshops are aimed at bridging the gender gap in Information Communication Technology and giving women equal opportunities to succeed in the industry.

Django Girls is a non-profit organization and a community that empowers and helps women to organize free, one-day programming workshops by providing tools, resources and support. During the event, women build their first web application using HTML, CSS, Python and Django.

Women are more powerful when they support each other and as such, Django Girls events is evidence of this wonderful fact. This is because about 50% of the total number of females who have ever coached were once participants who were able to build their blogs and decided to give back to the community. 

Coaches:
We’ve had different coaches from different parts of the country and even from Kenya and Nigeria who volunteered and made Django Girls events successful. There were times some had to travel long distances, and also even at night to be able to get to the event grounds in order to prepare for the tutorial session.

Gerald Pharin, Mannie Young, Ahmad Bilesammi, Christabel Atutonu, Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe, Azumah Worlali, Kim, James, Hope Adoli,Carr Rosina Afua Ampomah, Jacky Kimani, Jacob Mensah Zigli, Anthony Mensah Addae, Kafui Alordo, Kwadwo Agyapon-Ntra, Mark Kwagbedzie, Michael Young, Miriam Adwoa Darteh, Rowland Kwame Vorsah, James Muriuki, Samuel Baafi Boakye, Mohammed Dawud, Paa JAKE, Doe Martin, Ezichi Ebere, Attablayo Prudence, Saviour Gidi, Dennis Quashie, Tenu Michael Sedinam Korku, Victoria Amankwa, William Kpabitey Kwabla, Gloria Boakye, Jida Asare, Martha Teiko Teye, Joey Daniel Darko.

Participants:
The zeal and enthusiasm from participants to learn something new, improve on their programming skills and to meet distinguished coaches who gave more insights about the Tech ecosystem were impeccable! You should see the joy on their faces when they are able to print “Hello World”. Another remarkable thing that was noticed was how they were ready to help each other learn.

Experiences:
Here are a few words from some of the attendees about their experiences.

Django girls workshop opened my eyes to prospects I look into for my career. Django girls taught me that I can solve problems in my own small way. Getting stuck and finding your way out when programming is very fulfilling. I’ve had a lot of A-ha moments with programming which pushes me to want to do a lot more. Django girls exposed me to such an experience and I’d be forever thankful for that ~ Rosina Carr Afua Ampomah

Django girls has instilled in me the will to code as a lady. Actually, I had little idea about what programming was but attending the workshop for two times has really taught me a lot. Sometimes many men feel coding was designed for them but with the help of Django girls, we are breaking all odds and boundaries. ~ Comfort Olantude Adebambi

Yeeeeaaahhh!!!

The Django Girls Workshop has been one of the best workshops I’ve attended so far.

When I first heard about it I applied to just go have fun since I am not an IT student and I know nothing about programming😅.

But during the workshop I got so excited about the whole thing and seeing other ladies enthused about the program really got me interested.

I attended two workshops. The first one I was a bit lost because I had no idea what was going on. So I applied again and after the second workshop I can proudly say I have good skills using the django framework and I have my own blog even though it’s not well developed😃.

The workshop has impacted me greatly.

It’s through these workshops that I developed interest in programming and I’m trying my best to develop in the field.

The Python language and using Github are all skills I acquired because I attended Django Girls Workshop💃🏽

The coaches and organizers are also so kind that they are always ready to share their knowledge even after the workshop.

When I finally make it in the programming field, I will never forget Django Workshop because that was where I got all the motivation and it was my first step into the field.

Much love to the Django Team ~ Irene Adinorkie Okutu

Well, I am very happy I had the chance to attend Django girls workshop.  I first saw it on Facebook and it caught my attention. I was surprised to ever for the first time in my life, see a group of people who have taken upon themselves to teach girls about technology and other stuffs relating to the internet like creating a website for oneself. I applied and was so happy when I had a message that I have been selected to be part of the training.  I have never regretted being part of Django girls.

One thing that fascinates me most is the willingness of the mentors to teach you at every time whenever I have difficulties.  Thanks to Django Girls Foundation and dedicated mentors. ~ Gifty Otoo

Coverage:
Since its inception in Ghana, Django Girls Workshops has been successfully held in the following cities/remote areas in Ghana: Accra, Kumasi, Ho, Tarkwa, Legon, Sunyani, Kwamang Ashanti, Sogakope, Winneba, Takoradi, Hohoe, Kwahu and Akosombo. Some cities have had the feel of it twice and so far the journey has been exciting.

More Django Girls events are yet to come and we entreat you to visit djangogirls.org/events to sign up for the next event close to you.

Click to view more detail description of the coverage map here

Sponsors:
Getting local sponsorship for a workshop like this is so difficult that without the following organization and their continuous support, Django Girls workshop wouldn’t have reached more underrepresented women in tech in Ghana. We do appreciate your coming onboard to backing this cause:
Python Software Foundation, Django Software Foundation, Gitlab, GitHub, Travis-ci, JetBrains, ict4d.at, elastic, pythonanywhere, icode Hub, ICT4D, stickermule, Torchbox, HelloWebApp, Google

Partners:
Python Software Community Ghana, Khophi Photography

Conclusion
Gradually, the mission and aim of the Django Girls Foundation are being met in Ghana, and we can boldly say that the Django Girls experience in Ghana has so far being super impactful and we are looking forward to more workshops and helping some of the participants gain leadership roles in the Tech Ecosystem.

The Dream is definitely on!

This blog post was put up by Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe & Noah Alorwu

Django Girls is a non-profit that teaches programming to women all around the world. Want to help us? Support us!