Julienne Umuhoza,a student at IPRC – Huye campus, in the department of civil engineering , poses for a photo with other girls in Sciences. Courtesy
Ines Rutayisire Umurerwa
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Being the only girl in a class of 44 boys has never discouraged Julienne Umuhoza. A student at IPRC – Huye campus, in the department of civil engineering (specialising in content surveying), Umuhoza always dreamed of becoming an engineer, therefore, when she was done with high school, she was determined to pursue her dream.
“In high school my major was construction, but it was tough because not many people understood how a girl could pick an interest in construction,” she says. “We were very few girls in the class and the boys doubted us. When I joined university I was the only girl and people kept doubting me, but my determination was even stronger.”
In the rural areas of developing countries like Rwanda, women often face unique challenges that hinder their economic and social empowerment. However, technology has emerged as a powerful tool for transforming their lives, despite some challenges that still arise.