|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Summary
Eunice Owino, a trailblazer in education technology and gender advocacy, has dedicated over two decades to empowering women and youth through digital inclusion. As co-founder of the Centre for Women Empowerment in Technology (CWE-TECH) in Kenya, she leads initiatives that bridge gender gaps in technology, promote STEM education, and foster sustainable practices, transforming lives and communities across Africa.
In a world where technology often remains inaccessible to women and girls in underserved communities, Eunice Owino is rewriting the script. With over two decades of expertise spanning government and non-governmental organisations, Eunice is a formidable force in education technology (EdTech), gender advocacy, and social enterprise. Her life’s work is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a relentless drive to uplift others.
“Growing up in a rural setting where girls were often denied education, I saw many of my peers drop out of school due to early pregnancies or cultural pressures. But my father, my role model, believed in me and encouraged me to strive for excellence,” Eunice reflects. Her determination paid off, as she defied the odds to achieve a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD, which she’s due for graduation next year in 2025, focusing on digital technologies and their transformative potential for youth and women.
A Catalyst for Change
Eunice’s journey with World Pulse, a global social network empowering women to drive change, began serendipitously in 2012 at a conference in Canada. After presenting her paper, Unruly Women, she was introduced to the platform, marking the start of a remarkable partnership. “World Pulse transformed my life,” Eunice shares. Through its Voices of Our Future training in 2013, she mastered storytelling and digital advocacy, skills that would shape her work for years to come.
Her impact on World Pulse has been profound. Eunice has been at the forefront of creating inclusive strategies as a World Pulse Ambassador since 2018 and a member of its Powershift Inclusive Excellence (PIE) governance structure. “The training gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles, including a position in Homa Bay County when devolution in Kenya was just beginning,” she recalls.
Bridging the Gender Divide through CWE-TECH
Beyond her role in World Pulse, Eunice co-founded the Centre for Women Empowerment in Technology (CWE-TECH), a Kenyan organisation that champions digital inclusion. As Chairperson of the Board, Eunice has transformed CWE-TECH into a beacon of hope, equipping women, girls, and youth with the skills to thrive in the digital age.
“Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to make access to technology a right, not a privilege,” Eunice states. Under her leadership, CWE-TECH has implemented transformative initiatives across five core areas:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Life Skills Development
Through the Binti Shupavu Project, in partnership with Daring Girls from the USA, CWE-TECH provides adolescent girls with essential SRHR education. Mentorship programmes ensure girls in schools like Kaganda and Merichu in Murang’a are supported until they complete their secondary education.
- STEM Education and Technology Skills Development
CWE-TECH equips young women with coding, wireless engineering, and other technical skills, empowering them to innovate and secure online job opportunities through partnerships like Ajira, a government-led initiative. - Agribusiness and the Green Economy
Initiatives like Smart Homes and A Goat for Every Home promote sustainable practices and economic empowerment. Eunice envisions every rural household adopting eco-friendly technologies such as solar lighting, water harvesting systems, and kitchen gardens. “Our pilot project in 2023 proved that smart homes can transform lives and boost family incomes,” she explains. - Vocational Skills and Entrepreneurship
CWE-TECH’s vocational training programs nurture entrepreneurial skills, enabling women and youth to achieve financial independence. - Research and Advocacy
The organisation conducts cutting-edge research to inform policies aimed at reducing gender disparities in technology and education.
A Legacy of Impact
Eunice’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in technology has garnered widespread recognition. Under her guidance, CWE-TECH was featured in a Bloomberg documentary spotlighting impactful grassroots organisations across Africa. Despite challenges like limited resources, CWE-TECH continues to deliver transformative programs that uplift women and youth.
“Technology is not just a tool; it’s a powerful equaliser,” Eunice asserts. Her leadership exemplifies this belief, proving that access to the right tools can change lives, uplift communities, and drive societal progress.
A Visionary Leader
Eunice Owino is more than a changemaker; she is a visionary leader. Through CWE-TECH and World Pulse, she has built a legacy of empowerment, ensuring no woman or girl is left behind in the digital revolution. “When women are empowered, communities thrive,” she says passionately. Her work is a call to action, inspiring others to dream bigger and push boundaries in the pursuit of equality and progress.
