Tech is for girls too: an awareness day at Groupe Élit Formations

On Thursday 13 March 2025, we held an awareness day for the students of Groupe Élit Formations, at the Central African Agency for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE). One goal: to make girls want to explore careers in digital technology and computing.

Why this day

In the Central African Republic, few girls still turn to digital careers. We see it in every one of our development trainings: women are very few. That is what had already led us to hold a first information and orientation session dedicated to women.

Ms Gisèle Bedan, director of Groupe Élit Formations, shares this observation. She asked us to come and meet her students.

“Sharing IKOUĒ’s observation that few women go into computing careers, even though the sector holds the jobs of the future, the Director, Ms Gisèle Bedan, wanted our organisation to raise awareness among her students. This initiative is part of her school’s vision: to give students every chance to succeed in their future working lives.”

Pétula Lenguezial, founding member of IKOUĒ

Women professionals to inspire the students

The day was led by two women who work in computing:

• Paméla Siadou Denis, pre-sales and cybersecurity engineer, who came from France;
• Murielle Ouaradague, analyst-developer in the IT Studies and Development department of the CNSS.

Through their journeys, the students discovered the digital world and several key ideas: cybersecurity, data centers, networks and the Internet, and artificial intelligence.

“My job is to protect companies against cyber-attacks. I am here to talk with them, tell them about my journey and above all show them that these careers are not reserved for men. Don’t be afraid, believe in yourself. That is the positive energy I wanted to pass on: everything is possible.”

Paméla Siadou Denis

“We are counting on you to take over. We hope you will choose this field.”

Murielle Ouaradague

Students ready to take up the challenge

By the end, several students said they wanted to learn more about the field, which they see as “the career of today and tomorrow”. Ashley Rokko (1ère A1) and Rodriguez Ashley Mackpayen (Terminale B) are among them.

“The speaker showed us that digital is a versatile career, open to women as much as to men. I want to encourage every girl who thinks digital is a male field to change her view. I am motivated and I choose digital!”

Ashley Rokko

“After this workshop, I feel able to commit to computing. After my baccalaureate, I will go into computing. I would like to tell young girls that it is not a career reserved for men. We have our place too!”

Rodriguez Ashley Mackpayen

A call to go further

This day was a first. The interest it sparked makes us want to turn it into a regular event.

“This is a first initiative, and today we saw the interest it sparked in these young girls. So I call on the organisations that support young girls, and perhaps also the Ministry of National Education, to back us so that this kind of action can last.”

Pétula Lenguezial

We thank Groupe Élit Formations and its director for their welcome and the quality of their teaching, and our two speakers for their time and generosity.

Do you support young girls and want to host a day like this one? Write to us.

This day was covered by Oubangui Médias (in French).