Award-winning technologist and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Lady Mariéme Jamme is on a huge mission: getting young women around the world to learn coding.
Lady Marieme, who was born in Senegal, West Africa but grew up in the United Kingdom, is the founder of iamtheCode.org, an African-led movement that plans to get 1 million girls to code by the end of this decade through training and mentorship, according to World Economic Forum. So far, the initiative has helped thousands of girls learn to code throughout Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
During the day, Lady Mariéme is a software developer who runs a business focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in cybersecurity. When she isn’t working, she is hard at work delivering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning to girls, many who wouldn’t get it otherwise.
“And so I travel and give them the iamtheCODE programme, which is a 12-week mentoring programme that includes coding skills, STEM subjects – understanding what they are,” she told World Economic Forum. “They look into the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which is an agenda, a blueprint for people, the planet and humanity.”
She said 70% of skills learned are technical, while the rest include soft skills and leadership skills. In addition to providing mentoring opportunities, iamtheCode hosts a podcast that helps girls navigate STEM.
“We talk about: how do you become a strong person, a strong woman? What is your purpose? You don’t need to be a weak person in this world, even if you come from a difficult background like I did, you can really make it, if you’ve got support and love and kindness and compassion,” Lady Mariéme said.
For program and mentorship information, check out the program’s website.
See more coding resources on IEEE TryEngineering.