Motivating women to thrive in a male-dominated tech industry
For girls and young women to thrive in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, they need safe and reliable access to the internet and digital tools. On this year's International Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day, meet Maha Sharbek, UN Volunteer Software Engineer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Maha is working to advance the access of women, girls and marginalized groups in the ICT sector.
Growing up in Homs, Syria, Maha was always interested in technology, analyzing and solving problems, and she dreamt of becoming a software engineer one day.
"I started studying for a degree in Software Engineering. However, during my second year at the university, the Syrian crisis broke out, where I started volunteering as a first aider with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to nurse victims," recalls Maha.