POWERHer aims to inspire and unlock job opportunities to young women pursuing Energy related courses.

Speaking at the event, Etiene Gasasira, the Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at IPRC Kigali revealed that only 25% of the students who pursue energy related courses are women where the number is still low yet the school wants to boost the number of women in energy courses for up to 30% and above.

He explained that lack of confidence is among issues triggering women’s low participation in technical courses.

In fact, the number of girls pursuing science in secondary school is relatively low and the situation worsens at university level. It is under this context that the sensitization is being done starting from primary schools to universities to attract more girls in the energy sector.

Gasasira emphasized that women who are currently enrolled in technical courses are performing better than boys.

Having these conversations in schools, is one way to share with the girls successful stories of women in the technical field and remind them that they are capable of taking the lead in the technical field and beyond.

Gasasira concluded by thanking POWERHer Rwanda for the initiative of inspiring young women through testimony of successful women and encouraging the younger generation to work hard and get ready for the job market.

Bertile Uganje, 22, and student in 3rd year Electrical and Electronics narrated how the community discouraged her from pursuing related fields in her younger age as a matter of mindsets that the option is only suitable for males.

However, Uganje did not give up and kept pursuing her dreams.

Uganje disclosed she was inspired to see successful women in the sector such as POWERHer members who are doing great at the labour market.

After graduating, Uganje revealed that she has dreams to work with a Hydro Power plant as a manager or technician.

Allen Munganyinka, the co-founder of POWERHer underscored that through the tour visit to IPRCs and universities, POWERHer will be able to inspire young women to work and love the energy sector and expressed optimism to reach its mission of increasing number of girls and women working in the Energy Sector.

She also disclosed that the aim of the visit is to create a POWERHer club within the school where POWERHer will be able to help those young women through mentorship, apprenticeship and offer training to help them be ready for the world of opportunities in the sector.

POWERHer elected 4 women who represent the club and will help as a liaison between the club and POWERHer in the future plans where the latter is organizing competitions within those clubs in different IPRCs and universities.

POWERHer aims to inspire and unlock job opportunities to young women pursuing Energy related courses.

POWEHer members have inspired female students from IPRC Kicukiro to pursue Energy related courses.

The event was held on the 11th March 2022 at IPRC Kicukiro.

Participants of the event following presentations.

The interactive session held recently provided a platform to share successful stories of women in the technical field.